LSU's Pennington Biomedical Calls for Research Study Participants During National Diabetes Month

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Released: Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Baton Rouge, LA – The number of people with a new diabetes diagnosis is expected grow by 227 million worldwide by 2040, according to a report from the International Diabetes Federation. Diabetes prevention is key and LSU's Pennington Biomedical Research Center is working to combat the disease through a wide range of research—in the lab, in the clinic and in the community – aimed at developing better ways to prevent and treat the disease.

"In Louisiana, more than one in 10 people have diabetes and our rate is higher than national norms. That creates an incredible strain on the health of our workforce and on our state's economy," said Dr. William Cefalu, executive director of Pennington Biomedical. "We're working to develop novel therapies that allow people to live better, longer lives, but we can't do it without the help of the community. November is National Diabetes Month—a perfect time for members of the community to become more aware of this disease and to determine if they or a family member is at risk or is undiagnosed. We also encourage the community to join with us to help fight this dangerous disease."

Pennington Biomedical is seeking participants for a number of research studies currently underway which are aimed at pursuing new treatments for diabetes, helping people lower their risk for the disease and get healthier:

  • D2d: This research study is designed to determine if daily vitamin D3 intake reduces the rate of progression from prediabetes to diabetes.
  • Raspberry: This research study is designed to determine the effect of red raspberries on improving insulin resistance, a pre-diabetic condition, preventing the destruction of pancreatic cells (which make insulin), and decreasing inflammation in people with type 2 diabetes.
  • Sleep Diabetes: This research study is designed to look at how sleeping at a simulated high altitude will influence blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
  • PIONEER2: This research study is designed to assess the effectiveness of a new investigational drug that is being developed for type 2 diabetes

"Many new treatments and therapies on the market today are thanks to people who have chosen to give back to their communities by participating in a research study," said Dr. Daniel Hsia, an endocrinologist and assistant professor of research in Pennington Biomedical's Joint Diabetes Endocrinology and Metabolism Program. "Through research, we can be a part of the solution right here in Baton Rouge."

In Louisiana, nearly 13 percent of adults have been diagnosed with diabetes. Across the U.S., 29 million people have diabetes, up from 26 million people in 2010. One in three people in the U.S. has prediabetes—a condition that if left untreated could lead to diabetes—and many are unaware of their heightened risk.

To learn more about participating in a research study at Pennington Biomedical, visit www.pbrc.edu/healthierLA or call 225-763-3000.

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The Pennington Biomedical Research Center is at the forefront of medical discovery as it relates to understanding the triggers of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and dementia. It is a campus of Louisiana State University and conducts basic, clinical and population research. The research enterprise at Pennington Biomedical includes approximately 80 faculty and more than 25 post-doctoral fellows who comprise a network of 44 laboratories supported by lab technicians, nurses, dietitians, and support personnel, and 13 highly specialized core service facilities. Pennington Biomedical's more than 500 employees perform research activities in state-of-the-art facilities on the 222-acre campus located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.