This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. This research began in the 1950 s and studies the parents, brothers, sisters, and children (first degree relatives) of people who are known to have diabetes. These first degree relatives may carry a gene that makes them more likely to develop diabetes in the future, or, they may already have diabetes without knowing it. From these early studies came the MODY project (maturity-onset diabetes of the young). The MODY project looks at the genes, natural history, and effects of MODY. MODY is a subtype of type 2 diabetes that usually starts at an early age (children, teenagers and young adults). People with MODY usually produce low levels of insulin, the hormone that controls blood sugar levels. MODY is passed on from generation to generation through an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. Autosomal dominant inheritance means that only one gene (rather than a pair of genes) from either the mother or the father can lead to MODY. It also means that diabetes is expected to occur in 50% (one-half) of all children of a parent with MODY in each generation. So far, up to 5 generations of diabetic and nondiabetic subjects in families known to carry MODY genes, as well as others with a strong family history of diabetes and/or unusual clinical presentation of diabetes have taken part in the study. Study participants are seen periodically to see if they have diabetes, to monitor their blood sugar levels and the amounts of insulin they make, and to have other blood and urine tests done to monitor their health (such as cholesterol levels in the blood and urine protein levels). Blood is also tested to see if they carry any of the genes known or thought to cause MODY. These ongoing, long-term studies will us better understand type 2 diabetes in the general population.
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