Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet

TrialNet is an international network of sites throughout the United States, Canada, Finland, United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand. This network is dedicated to the study, prevention, and early treatment of type 1 diabetes.

Bristol is the coordinating centre in the UK, with sites in Newcastle, Norwich, Birmingham and Belfast. It is hoped that this will expand to other sites across the country.

TrialNet has a number of studies planned in the UK including the Natural History Study and the Oral Insulin Study.

The Natural History Study

We are recruiting close family members of people who have diabetes because they are likely to be at higher risk of developing it themselves. The aim of the study is to learn more about how diabetes occurs by looking at early markers of diabetes in the blood.

The study involves taking a blood sample and testing it for autoantibodies. If these are present an oral glucose tolerance test and further antibody and genetic testing will be done. This will enable a risk factor to be assigned. Follow up tests will be carried out every 6 months until the onset of diabetes (or the end of the study).

For more information read the Fact Sheet

The Oral Insulin Study

This study will be a follow up from the DPT-1 Study in the USA. It will look at whether giving oral insulin to people at risk of developing diabetes can delay or prevent the onset. It is hoped that this will start in the UK in spring 2010.

To learn more about the TrialNet programme visit the UK website www.bristol.ac.uk/trialnet-uk or the international website www.diabetestrialnet.org

If you would like to find out more about taking part in any of the trials in the UK contact the TrialNet team:

Trialnet-uk@bristol.ac.uk - Tel: 0117 323 6188