Cures
Type 1 Diabetes Cures
Research Question:
Backround Information
Definition of Type 1 diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong (chronic) disease in which there are high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood.
See also:
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Type 1 diabetes can occur at any age. However, it is most often diagnosed in children, adolescents, or young adults.
Insulin is a hormone produced by special cells, called beta cells, in the pancreas. The pancreas is found behind your stomach. Insulin is needed to move blood sugar (glucose) into cells, where it is stored and later used for energy. In type 1 diabetes, beta cells produce little or no insulin.
Without enough insulin, glucose builds up in the bloodstream instead of going into the cells. The body is unable to use this glucose for energy. This leads to the symptoms of type 1 diabetes.
The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown. Most likely it is an autoimmune disorder. An infection or some other trigger causes the body to mistakenly attack the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. This kind of disorder can be passed down through families.
Source #1
This PDF file gives information on a bionic pancreas that Boston University has been researching. It is to be worn outside the body and it will have 3 different devices. The controller will be about the size of a smart phone. It will tell the pump what to do when it receives information from the disposable glucose sensor. The external pumps will deliver glucagon to diagnose for the low blood sugar and insulin to diagnose for the high blood sugar.
Author: Boston University
Site: http://www.bu.edu/bme/files/2012/12/Exhibit3.pdf
Organization: Boston University (college)
Date Created: not given
Medium: WEB, 20 May 2013
Source #2
Author: Steven Russell
Site: http://artificialpancreas.org/
Organization: Boston University and Massachusetts General Hospital
Date Created: 2013
Medium: WEB, 21 May 2013
Source #3
Author: not given
Site: http://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/03/09/cu-researchers-find-cure-for-type-1-diabetes-in-mice/
Organization: CBS News (local)
Date Created: 9 March 2012
Medium: WEB, 22 May 2013