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Prevention & management - Previously Funded

Dr. Shazhan Amed (Operating Grant funded 2009-2010)

University of British Columbia (Vancouver, BC)

Title: Developing a framework for evaluating a comprehensive provincial health care model for children with diabetes using existing population databases

Dr. Shazhan Amed was examining how children with diabetes in British Columbia use the healthcare system, the costs associated with this use, the quality of healthcare provided to these children, and the impact of diabetes on their emotional health and school performance. Upon completion, the results of Dr. Amed's study will be shared with decision-makers and health professionals involved in the planning of new ways to care for children with diabetes.

 

Dr. Jean-Luc Ardilouze (Operating Grant funded 2008-2011)

University of Sherbrooke (Sherbrooke, QC)

Title: Early screening for gestational diabetes mellitus

Dr. Jean-Luc Ardilouze is studying what blood sugar level in the first trimester of pregnancy indicates a risk of developing gestational diabetes. The results of this research may lead to recommendations for earlier blood sugar testing in high-risk pregnant women. If we can identify those at risk early, we may be able to prevent gestational diabetes.

 

Dr. Lukas Chrostowski (Innovation Grant funded 2008-2009)

University of British Columbia (Vancouver, BC)

Title: Demonstration of glucose monitoring using vertical cavity lasers

Researchers have been working for years to create a sensor that can check blood glucose levels continuously.  Right now, most people with diabetes have to check their blood glucose several times a day. Current glucose sensors generally last only a few days, can become contaminated  and are not sufficiently accurate. Dr. Chrostowski is working to develop a long-term implantable blood glucose monitor. Continuous  glucose monitoring could help people with diabetes have better blood glucose control and improve their overall health.

 

Dr. Denis Daneman (Operating Grant funded 2009-2012)

Hospital for Sick Children (Toronto, ON)

Title: Adolescent Type 1 Diabetes Cardio-Renal Intervention Trial (AdDIT)

Dr. Denis Daneman is studying whether certain adult medications for high blood pressure and high cholesterol may help prevent the development of diabetes-related complications in teens with type 1 diabetes. Early treatment of those teens with type 1 diabetes at high risk for diabetes-related kidney and heart disease may help delay or prevent complications and ultimately enhance quality of life.

 

Dr. Savita Dhanvantari (Scholar Award funded 2005-2010)

Lawson Health Research Institute (London, ON)

Title: Functional molecular imaging of the pancreatic islet

Right now, islet transplant is the only way to stop type 1 diabetes. Another possible way, however, might be to tell the islets to produce more insulin- producing cells (known as islet regeneration). Dr. Dhanvantari will develop and test new ways of viewing islets through different types of imaging. She will also develop new treatments for islet regeneration and test them using imaging. New imaging technology can be used to monitor regenerated islets. This will help researchers test new kinds of diabetes treatments and analyze the results.

 

Dr. Dean T. Eurich (Operating Grant funded 2009-2011)

University of Alberta (Edmonton, AB)

Title: Safety and effectiveness of Sitagliptin in relation to other oral antidiabetic agents in patients with type 2 diabetes: A population based analysis

Dr. Dean Eurich is studying whether a new oral medication to lower blood sugar levels (sitagliptin) lowers a person's risk of heart disease, stroke or death relative to other medications commonly used to control blood sugars in people with type 2 diabetes, like metformin or glyburide. Information from this study may help both people with diabetes and their doctors better determine which combination of medications is safe and effective for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

 

Dr. Denice S. Feig (Operating Grant funded 2010-2012)

Mount Sinai Hospital (Toronto, ON)

Title: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and future risk of diabetes in affected women and their offspring

Dr. Denice S. Feig is studying if women with preeclampsia (high blood pressure in pregnancy, accompanied by protein in the urine) or gestational hypertension (high blood pressure in pregnancy without protein in the urine) have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to women who did not experience these complications during pregnancy. Dr. Feig is also studying if children of these women have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

 

Dr. Martin J. Gibala (Operating Grant funded 2010-2011)

McMaster University (Hamilton, ON)

Title: High-intensity interval training as a time-efficient strategy to optimize the therapeutic benefits of exercise in persons with type 2 diabetes: a pilot study

Exercise is effective in improving blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes. Current guidelines, however, suggest 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity exercise, and many people have difficulty fitting this into their schedules. Dr. Martin J. Gibala is examining an exercise strategy called high-intensity interval training (HIT) which involves a smaller time commitment. He will study the effects of two weeks of HIT on blood glucose control in people with type 2 diabetes.

 

Dr. Richard Lewanczuk (Applied Research (Operating) Grant funded 2007-2010)

University of Alberta (Calgary, AB)

Title: Healthy Hearts Alberta: A school-based prospective cohort study of physical activity and insulin sensitivity in youth

Dr. Richard Lewanczuk was studying children and teens to see whether those who are more physically active are less likely to gain weight and develop insulin resistance (a strong indicator of diabetes risk) compared to children who are less active. Although the amount of exercise adults get has much to do with their risk of developing diabetes, this has yet to be shown in children and teens. Dr. Lewanczuk's research could help determine if lack of physical activity in children and teens is a risk factor for diabetes.

 

Dr. Lorraine L. Lipscombe (Clinician Scientist Award funded 2007-2012)

Women's College Research Institute (Toronto, ON)

Title: Diabetes risk following breast cancer

Dr. Lorraine L. Lipscombe is studying the possible connection between breast cancer, breast cancer treatment and diabetes. Dr. Lipscombe's research may help to identify which women should be screened for diabetes and taught about diabetes prevention. It could also help us better understand why breast cancer patients are at higher risk for diabetes. 

 

Dr. André Marette (Operating Grant funded 2008-2011)

Universite Laval (Ste-Foy, QC)

Title: AMPK-dependent and independent pathways mediating the metabolic effects of exercise and metformin

Dr. André Marette is studying how exercise and a drug called metformin improve the breakdown of sugar and fats in muscles of obese diabetic rats. Understanding how exercise makes muscles more sensitive to insulin is important in the search for new ways of treating type 2 diabetes.

 

Dr. David B. Nicholas (Applied Research (Operating) Grant funded 2007-2009)

Hospital for Sick Children (Toronto, ON)

Title: Evaluation of an online network for adolescents on diabetes self-management

Managing diabetes is difficult. Teens with diabetes need support to help them achieve good control and deal with the psychological and social issues that go with the disease. Could the Internet help teens with diabetes? Dr. Nicholas has developed a website for teens and is exploring whether it helps them learn about diabetes management and cope with the challenges of living with diabetes.

 

Dr. Deborah O'Connor (Operating Grant funded 2009-2012)

University of Toronto (Toronto, ON)

Title: Impact of maternal abnormalities in pregnancy on breast milk  composition and subsequent infant metabolic development

Dr. Deborah O'Connor is studying whether women's elevated blood sugar levels during pregnancy alters early breast milk content and whether altered breast milk content affects the growth and development of babies. Dr. O'Connor's study will address the impact of altered infant nutrition on the outcome of childhood obesity and increased risk for diabetes.  This will, in turn, assist in preventing diabetes risk factors that can start as early as in infancy.

 

Dr. Rémi Rabasa-Lhoret (Operating Grant funded 2011-2012)

Institute de Recherches Cliniques de Montreal (Montréal, QC)

Title: Closed-loop control of glucose levels in type 1 diabetes: preliminary clinical trials

Dr. Rabasa-Lhoret is examining insulin pumps to determine if a "closed-loop" approach – where the body's glucose levels are automatically regulated based on continuous glucose sensor readings – is better than conventional pump therapy for people with type 1 diabetes, particularly at night time and during exercise. This research could lead to more effective insulin pump technologies (artificial pancreas) for people living with type 1 diabetes.

 

Dr. Jerry Radziuk (Operating Grant funded 2009-2011)

Ottawa Health Research Inst. (Ottawa, ON)

Title: Insulin-mediated ablation of nocturnal glucose peak in type 2 diabetes: effects on subsequent insulin sensitivity

Dr. Jerry Radziuk is studying why giving small amounts of insulin at night improve the way the body responds to sugar much later the next day in people with type 2 diabetes. Dr. Radziuk's studies will help us understand how diabetes starts. They also emphasize the importance of the treatment of nighttime insulin in the overall daily improvement of blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

 

Dr. Jerry Radziuk (Operating Grant funded 2007-2009)

Ottawa Civic Hospital - Riverside Campus (Ottawa, ON)

Title: Fasting hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes: Effect of a night-time increment in insulin

The blood glucose levels of people with type 2 diabetes are often high in the morning. However, morning levels do not remain high. They fall during the day as the liver makes less glucose and then rise again throughout the night. This only happens in people with type 2 diabetes. Dr. Radziuk wants to break this cycle by giving patients small doses of insulin at night. The results of these studies may help us find better ways of treating type 2 diabetes with fewer drugs.

 

Dr. Judith M. Rashotte (Operating Grant funded 2009-2010)

Children's Hospital  of Eastern Ontario (Ottawa, ON)

Title: Youths' and parents' experience of living with continuous glucose monitoring and insulin pump therapy

Dr. Judith Rashotte was exploring both the parent and adolescent (12 to 17 years of age) experience of living with continuous glucose monitoring and insulin pump therapy in order to improve our understanding of the personal experiences of using these technologies. Additionally, Dr. Rashotte's studies helped to identify the facilitators and barriers to the use of diabetes management technologies and the supports needed by youth and their families.

 

Dr. Gary J. Remington (Operating Grant funded 2008-2011)

Center for Addiction and Mental Health (Toronto, ON)

Title: The direct effect of antipsychotics on glucose dysregulation

Dr. Gary J. Remington is studying how a class of antipsychotic medications, used in the treatment of schizophrenia, puts people at risk for diabetes. Dr. Remington's research may help to find ways of preventing and treating diabetes in this population.

 

Dr. Ravi R. Retnakaran (Operating Grant funded 2008-2011)

Mount Sinai Hospital (Toronto, ON)

Title: The impact of dietary factors on the pathophysiology of gestational diabetes and subsequent type 2 diabetes

Women who have had diabetes in pregnancy (gestational diabetes) are at higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes, especially in the first few years after the pregnancy. Dr. Ravi Retnakaran is studying the eating habits of pregnant women with and without gestational diabetes. Then, 3 and 12 months after the pregnancy, we will study the eating habits of the same women again. If eating habits are related to gestational diabetes and type 2 diabetes, it may be possible to prevent these conditions with a change in diet. This study may help in the search for ways of preventing gestational and type 2 diabetes.

 

Dr. Ravi R. Retnakaran (Clinician Scientist Award funded 2007-2012)

Mount Sinai Hospital (Toronto, ON)

Title: The role of adipokines and inflammatory proteins in the early pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes in women with a history of gestational diabetes

Dr. Ravi R. Retnakaran is studying whether certain substances (called adipokines and inflammatory proteins) are linked to the eventual development of type 2 diabetes in women who have had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy). Dr. Retnakaran's research may help in the search for new ways of preventing type 2 diabetes.

 

Dr. Michael C. Riddell (Operating Grant funded 2009-2010)

York University (Toronto, ON)

Title: Effects regular exercise on the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and peripheral glucocorticoid action in type 2 diabetes: A novel hypothesis on the prevention of diabetes development

Dr. Michael Riddell was examining how exercise may help decrease excess stress hormones in diabetes and promote diabetes health and well being. Understanding the influence of stress and exercise on diabetes development could help lead to new therapies (including exercise and medications) to treat excess stress hormones and their metabolic effects in diabetes.

 

Dr. Baiju R. Shah (Clinician Scientist Award funded 2007-2012)

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Ctr. (Toronto, ON)

Title: Diabetes care and outcomes from people with Chinese and South Asian origins

Dr. Baiju R. Shah is following Chinese and South Asian Canadians with diabetes to learn more about how they use the health care system, how well they manage their diabetes, and whether the doctor's ethnic background affects their diabetes care. The results of this study will help us better understand how ethnic background affects diabetes care and outcomes.

 

Dr. Ronald J. Sigal (Operating Grant funded 2008-2010)

University of Calgary (Calgary, AB)

Title: Type 1 diabetes aerobic and resistance exercise (T1-DARE) Trial

Dr. Ronald J. Sigal was studying whether aerobic exercise (such as running) and resistance exercise (such as weight training) help improve blood glucose control in people with type 1 diabetes, as seen in people with type 2 diabetes. Dr. Sigal's findings could help us better understand the benefits of exercise for people with type 1 diabetes.

 

Dr. Scot H. Simpson (Operating Grant funded 2009-2011)

University of Alberta (Edmonton, AB)

Title: Is there a difference in cardiovascular risk amongst the sulfonylureas?

Dr. Scot Simpson wants to know if one diabetes medication (glyburide) is linked to a higher risk of heart disease compared to another diabetes medication (gliclazide). Although all diabetes medications do a good job of lowering blood sugar levels, there are questions about their effects in other parts of the body. Information gained by Dr. Simpson's studies may help people with diabetes and their doctors decide which diabetes medications are appropriate for them.

 

Currently Funded