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Type-1 diabetes 'prevention' trial starts in Scotland | Type-1 diabetes 'prevention' trial starts in Scotland |
(35 minutes later) | |
A major trial is set to start in Scotland aimed at preventing type-1 diabetes in children. | A major trial is set to start in Scotland aimed at preventing type-1 diabetes in children. |
Researchers are preparing to contact all 6,400 families in the country affected by the condition. | Researchers are preparing to contact all 6,400 families in the country affected by the condition. |
Children who have a parent or sibling with type-1 diabetes will be invited for a blood test to see if they are at high risk of developing the disease. | Children who have a parent or sibling with type-1 diabetes will be invited for a blood test to see if they are at high risk of developing the disease. |
Those at risk will be offered a drug called metformin to see if it can hold off diabetes. | Those at risk will be offered a drug called metformin to see if it can hold off diabetes. |
Metformin is already used to treat diabetes, but it is not clear if it might prevent it from developing in the first place. | Metformin is already used to treat diabetes, but it is not clear if it might prevent it from developing in the first place. |
If successful, the study could challenge long-established thinking on what lies behind type-1 diabetes. | If successful, the study could challenge long-established thinking on what lies behind type-1 diabetes. |
Scotland has the third highest rate of type-1 diabetes in the world, and a good system of record to identify affected families. | |
Alternative theory | Alternative theory |
Type-1 diabetes develops when the body does not produce insulin. This is the hormone needed to control blood sugar levels. | Type-1 diabetes develops when the body does not produce insulin. This is the hormone needed to control blood sugar levels. |
Despite extensive research, there is no way of preventing the disease. | Despite extensive research, there is no way of preventing the disease. |
Most experts believe it is caused by a problem with the immune system - mistaking insulin-producing cells in the pancreas - called beta cells - as harmful, and attacking them. | Most experts believe it is caused by a problem with the immune system - mistaking insulin-producing cells in the pancreas - called beta cells - as harmful, and attacking them. |
This study, called the autoimmune diabetes Accelerator Prevention Trial (Adapt), tests an alternative theory developed by Prof Terence Wilkin, from the University of Exeter Medical School. | This study, called the autoimmune diabetes Accelerator Prevention Trial (Adapt), tests an alternative theory developed by Prof Terence Wilkin, from the University of Exeter Medical School. |
Rather than focusing on halting the immune system, Prof Wilkin says it could be better to work on protecting the beta cells. | Rather than focusing on halting the immune system, Prof Wilkin says it could be better to work on protecting the beta cells. |
He argues the key cause of damage is stress on the beta cells as they struggle to cope with demand for insulin. | He argues the key cause of damage is stress on the beta cells as they struggle to cope with demand for insulin. |
Then, he says, in some people, the immune system kicks in, killing off more cells, accelerating the development of diabetes - what we know as type-1 diabetes. | Then, he says, in some people, the immune system kicks in, killing off more cells, accelerating the development of diabetes - what we know as type-1 diabetes. |
He hopes metformin will relieve the stress on the beta cells, so they can continue to make insulin. | He hopes metformin will relieve the stress on the beta cells, so they can continue to make insulin. |
Stressed cells | Stressed cells |
Prof Wilkin said: "It is possible that a modern environment accelerates the loss of beta cells by overworking and stressing them. | Prof Wilkin said: "It is possible that a modern environment accelerates the loss of beta cells by overworking and stressing them. |
"As a consequence, this could be contributing to the rising incidence of type-1 diabetes, which is appearing in ever younger age groups. | "As a consequence, this could be contributing to the rising incidence of type-1 diabetes, which is appearing in ever younger age groups. |
"Adapt will use a medication to protect the beta cells from the stress, so that they survive longer." | "Adapt will use a medication to protect the beta cells from the stress, so that they survive longer." |
The researchers say if it is successful, the trial will offer a cost-effective way of preventing type-1 diabetes that could be made available immediately to children at risk. | The researchers say if it is successful, the trial will offer a cost-effective way of preventing type-1 diabetes that could be made available immediately to children at risk. |
The trial has initial funding from the type-1 diabetes charity JDRF. | The trial has initial funding from the type-1 diabetes charity JDRF. |
The study will start recruitment in Tayside and will then extend across Scotland before crossing into England. | The study will start recruitment in Tayside and will then extend across Scotland before crossing into England. |
Diabetes | Diabetes |
There are two main types of diabetes: | There are two main types of diabetes: |
Type-1 diabetes can develop at any age, but usually appears before the age of 40, particularly in childhood. | Type-1 diabetes can develop at any age, but usually appears before the age of 40, particularly in childhood. |
About 10% of all diabetes is type-1, but it is the most common type of childhood diabetes, so it is sometimes called juvenile or early onset diabetes | About 10% of all diabetes is type-1, but it is the most common type of childhood diabetes, so it is sometimes called juvenile or early onset diabetes |
In type-2 diabetes, the body either fails to produce enough insulin to function properly, or the body's cells do not react to insulin. About 90% of adults with diabetes have type-2, and it tends to develop later in life than type-1. | In type-2 diabetes, the body either fails to produce enough insulin to function properly, or the body's cells do not react to insulin. About 90% of adults with diabetes have type-2, and it tends to develop later in life than type-1. |
Source: NHS Choices | Source: NHS Choices |
iWonder: How can I reduce my risk of diabetes? | iWonder: How can I reduce my risk of diabetes? |