identify biomarkers for susceptibility to both type 1 diabetes and mental disorders

Agata Jurczyk, Ph.D.

• The way beta cells store and release insulin in response to stimuli mimics the way neurons store and release neurotransmitters

Brain

neurotransmitter release

Neuron

Pancreas

Islet ofLangerhan

Beta cell

Insulin release

≈

• Similar genes and proteins expression

DISC1

GAD1

GAD2

IA2

Associate with risk to type 1 diabetes and mental disorders

depressiontype 1 diabetes

bipolar disordersschizophrenia

Blood

GeneSignature Type 1 diabetes + mental illness

Type 1 diabetes

vs

Experimental Approach

Biorepository of blood samplesHealthy ControlsType 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes with schizophreniaType 1 diabetes with bipolar disorder

Type 1 diabetes with depression

Blood RNA DNA

Healthy

Gene Signature

Type 1 diabetics

Type 1 diabeticswith mental illness

Identify Novel Molecules and/or Pathways to Improve Therapies to Alleviate Suffering

Caused by Both illnesses

Outcome

Type 1 diabetes and mental disorders alone are very devastating diseases, now imagine what patients have to go through when faced with both?

Your support will fund a project that is trying to help these people to take preventive measures or to find better treatment