Taylor Participates in a Research Trial
Taylor is a 22 year-old New York City college student who participated in an overnight research study at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM). Taylor has Type 1 Diabetes, but she isn’t sick. In fact, she’s quite healthy.
You may be wondering why she volunteered to stay in the hospital if she isn't sick. Her reasons may surprise you.
The study Taylor participated in was called the Closed Loop System in Type 1 Diabetes Management Comparison with Pramlinitide versus Exenatide, otherwise known as the "Artificial Pancreas Study."
The study required participants to:
- Have Type 1 Diabetes
- Stay for an entire day and night, hooked up to the "artificial pancreas."
The pancreas consists of an insulin pump and two continuous glucose monitors which track the patient's real-time glucose levels and display the results on a computer.
The study looks at how two drugs - Pramlinitide and Exenatide - work in conjunction with the "artificial pancreas" to slow down digestion and help the closed loop system administer the correct amount of insulin with less high and low blood sugars.
Clinical Trials at CHAM
Taylor found out about the the "artificial pancreas" trial on clinicaltrials.gov - a list of approved trials for people interested in learning about and participating in research. She quickly called the Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes at CHAM to register. At that time, they weren’t recruiting in her age group, but they asked her to join another study. Still eager to participate in any research that may benefit her or the field of diabetes, Taylor soldiered on and joined the other research project. By the time it finished, the artificial pancreas study needed someone in her age group, and she promptly signed up.
Although there were some moments of frustration, Taylor said the study was a great learning experience, something really "cool" to be involved in that actually made her feel "normal."
Taylor loved learning more about current diabetes research, but she also learned more about her own diabetes and how to better manage it. Meeting others with diabetes and talking to the staff at CHAM who have so much research and diabetes experience was invaluable. She’s excited to participate in another study (as soon as she finds one she qualifies for, that is).
CHAM's Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes participates in many research trials, and like Taylor you may qualify. Check them out here and see if you can take the next step to better understanding your health.