TrialNet

If someone in your family has type 1 diabetes you may be at risk.

Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet is an international network of 14 clinical centers – including Texas Children’s Hospital – and over 200 affiliates exploring ways to prevent, delay and reverse the progression of type 1 diabetes. In response to the Surgeon General's Report Healthy People 2000, TrialNet was established to address diabetes prevention as a national health objective. Through personal screening and monitoring processes, this network is committed to the study, prevention, and early treatment of type 1 diabetes.

About TrialNet

TrialNet TrialNet works with people who have a family member with type 1 diabetes and may be at risk for developing the disease, but do not yet have diabetes or a previous history of treatment for the disease. Eligible participants are tested for diabetes-related autoantibodies in the blood, which may be detectable in the blood many years before diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. Since autoantibody status can change, especially in children with maturing immune systems, TrialNet offers screening annually for people up to 18 years of age.

Individuals who test positive for these autoantibodies while participating in TrialNet’s study are offered additional testing to help further determine their risk of developing type 1 diabetes. TrialNet notifies persons with negative diabetes-related test results with a letter in the mail in 4 to 6 weeks of the screening. Of the participants that are screened, 95% test negative.

If the test results are positive for one or more autoantibodies, the participant is notified via phone call from a member of TrialNet’s study team. For preventative purposes, TrialNet explains to the participant which autoantibodies were detected and what options are available. Participants can then opt to continue on to the monitoring portion of TrialNet’s study.

The monitoring portion includes a baseline monitoring visit at a TrialNet site to estimate the research participant’s level of risk of developing the chronic disease. Participants are followed-up either annually or semi-annually depending on their risk level. TrialNet will work with each research participant to fit his individual risk level. All participants, regardless of screening results, will be part of a research program that may help other people at risk for type 1 diabetes.