Kings College London is currently undertaking research looking at whether people who are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes (as other family members are affected by diabetes), react to food differently to those who are at lower risk. The research uses functional magnetic resonance imaging to take pictures of such volunteers’ brains, to see how their brains react to food. There is a lot of existing research that suggests the brain is intimately involved in controlling appetite, which may be different in people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future. This research extends from research performed by our research group, looking at how the brain may detect low glucose levels, and how this might differ in people with type 1 diabetes who have difficulty telling when they are low (or ‘hypoglycaemia unawareness’).
Obesity and related health problems including Type 2 diabetes are becoming increasingly common, causing long-term ill health. We do not understand why some people are particularly prone to weight gain and diabetes. One possibility is that the way our brains stop our desire to eat more after a meal, may be different in people predisposed to obesity and diabetes. Gaining further knowledge of the way the brain controls eating will help the development of new ways to prevent and treat these conditions.
[advert reads as follows]
Male volunteers for appetite research
We invite men who don’t have diabetes, but have family members with Type 2 diabetes, to take part in research looking at how our brains respond to food, to help find out why conditions like diabetes develop. A health check is included and eligible volunteers will be reimbursed up to £310 for their time. For more information please contact us Tel: 020 7848 5654 / 020 7848 5680
Email: yee.cheah@kcl.ac.uk / katherine.twist@kcl.ac.uk Diabetes & Nutritional Sciences, King’s College London
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