Endocrinology Research

Children’s of Alabama/ UAB’s Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes and the Department of Nutrition Sciences is recruiting participants for the groundbreaking DISCOVERY study. This multi-center research initiative seeks to uncover why some children with a body mass index (BMI) above the 85th percentile develop type 2 diabetes while others do not.

Who can participate?
We are looking for children and teens who meet the following criteria:

• Age: 9–13 for girls and 10-14 for boys
• BMI: At or above the 85th percentile
• HbA1c level: 5.5% or higher

What to expect?
Participants will receive comprehensive health evaluations, including:

• In-person and phone visits
• Lab tests
• Physical exams
• Glucose (blood sugar) monitoring
• Questionnaires

Key details:

• This study does not involve medications.
• There is no cost to participate.
• Participants will be compensated for their time.

By joining the DISCOVERY study, your child can contribute to important research that may help prevent type 2 diabetes in children and teens.

For more information, please contact us:

• Phone: 205-517-1351
• Email: discovery@uab.edu 

Learn more online: discovery.bsc.gwu.edu

Purpose: This study aims to understand changes in markers of pancreas function (beta cells/chromogranins) over time in adolescents with Type 2 diabetes.

Who can participate?

• Newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes within 3 months.
• Age: 10–18 years.

What to Expect?

• Participants will undergo bloodwork at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months.

Purpose: This study explores facilitators and barriers for a novel recruitment methodology using adolescent peer recruiters for genetic studies.

Who can participate? 

If affected:

• Self-reported African American race.
• Age: 12–18 years.
• Diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes.
• Tanner stage 4–5.
• A1c > 6.5 at diagnosis.

If not affected:

• Self-reported African American race.
• Age: 12–18 years.
• Tanner stage 4–5.
• A1c < 5.6.

What to expect if you are a peer recruiter?

• 1-hour training (in person or via Zoom).
• Monthly phone check-ins with the study team for 6 months

What to expect for everyone?

• Blood draw and surveys.
   

Purpose: This study investigates epigenetic changes in African American adolescents with Type 2 diabetes to understand underlying causes.

Who can participate?

If affected

• Self-reported African American race.
• Age: 12–18 years.
• A1c > 6.5% or 2-hour glucose > 200 mg/dL (OGTT) at diagnosis.
• Negative pancreatic antibodies.
• Diagnosed within the last 12 months.

If not affected

• Self-reported African American race.
• Age: 12–18 years.
• A1c < 5.6%.
• No fasting glucose > 126 mg/dL or 2-hour glucose > 200 mg/dL (OGTT).
   

What to expect?

• Participants will provide a blood draw and complete surveys.
   

Purpose: This protocol offers expanded access to tiratricol for patients with MCT8 deficiency who are not eligible for clinical trials or require continued treatment post-trial.

Who can participate?

• Confirmed MCT8 deficiency via genetic testing.
• Treatment-naïve or previously enrolled in the ReTRIACt study or prior IND.
• Treating physician determines potential benefits outweigh risks.
• Informed consent provided.
• Approved for enrollment by RTT/Egetis Therapeutics AB.
   

For further information, please contact the Pediatric Endocrinology research team.