1. Health

Genomic Fingerprint May Predict Type 1 Diabetes Before Diagnosis

From Debra Manzella, R.N., About.com GuideApril 16, 2008

Follow me on:

Genetic research is exploding these days, especially in the area of diabetes.

A study from the Children's Hospital in Wisconsin has shown that inflammation associated with type 1 diabetes leaves a unique genomic fingerprint that is detectable with a new kind of blood test.

Although the fingerprint was first detected in the "honeymoon" phase of type 1 diabetes is was discovered that the fingerprint can occur years before a diagnosis is made.

Scientists hope that this genomic fingerprint will help identify kids who may be at risk for typ 1 diabetes earlier than is possible now. This could mean earlier treatment and possible prevention of type 1 someday.

Photo courtesy of Suk-Heui Park/Getty Images

Comments
Comments are closed for this post.
Leave a Comment

Line and paragraph breaks are automatic. Some HTML allowed: <a href="" title="">, <b>, <i>, <strike>

©2012 About.com. All rights reserved.

A part of The New York Times Company.

We comply with the HONcode standard
for trustworthy health
information: verify here.