Clinical Trials

As part of the University of California, the center has access to leading-edge research that makes it possible to apply new approaches to diabetes treatment. From time to time, there are opportunities for patients and community members to participate in studies and trials. Check this site often or sign up for our newsletter to stay informed about the latest advances in diabetes treatment and management.

Using Laser to Detect Early Cardiovascular Changes in Diabetics
A partnership between the Center for Diabetes Treatment and Research, and the Beckman Laser Institute, the study uses an existing laser technology developed here at UC Irvine, called Diffuse Optical Spectroscopy (DOS), and could lead to a non-invasive clinical method to screen for early signs of microvascular changes that can occur in patients with diabetes. DOS is very sensitive at detecting tissue damage and perfusion (circulation), and already has shown promise in the field of breast cancer. read more >

This research study is recruiting patients in the following categories:

    (1) Type 2 diabetic and Metabolic Syndrome patients;
    (2) Non-diabetic relatives of the patients listed in (1) – subjects genetically predisposed to the disease;
    (3) Long-term Type 1 diabetic patients with history of diabetic peripheral neuropathy;
    (4) Control group

If you or someone you know meet the criteria and would like to participate in this study, please contact Lauren Sundheimer at lsundhei@uci.edu or call (949) 292-0915.

Care Differences in Type 2 Diabetes
The University of California, Irvine (UCI) Center for Health Policy Research is working with the physicians at UCI on a research study designed to help diabetic patients become more informed and involved patients.  Eligible patients will receive additional diabetes education during regularly scheduled office visits. Benefits of the study include:

• Improving patient knowledge about diabetes
• Learning effective diabetes management skills
• Improving patient-doctor communication

To participate in the study, patients must be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and be at least 18 years old. For more information about the study, please contact Dara Sorkin at (949) 824-0149 or dsorkin@uci.edu.

Diabetes in Chinese Population
The UC Irvine Center for Diabetes Treatment and Research and the Center for Molecular and Mitochondrial Medicine and Genetics Center (MMMAG) are seeking ethnic Chinese adults between the ages of 40 and 65 to participate in a study of diabetes and human variation.The research study examines possible association of the development of diabetes with the variability of the human population.
read more >