Research

The Harold Schnitzer Diabetes Health Center is committed to promoting research. Our goal is to enhance the quality of life of those living with diabetes.

Our efforts to find a cure for diabetes is made possible by volunteers who participate in research studies. When you volunteer, you help us answer important questions about diabetes.

If you would like to be considered as a potential volunteer for our research studies complete our Online Diabetes Research Application Form or call/email the contact listed below for each study for more information.

Current studies

DailyDose Smart Snack Study

We are seeking volunteers to test a new smart phone application. The purpose of this study is to learn more about a decision support tool that may be helpful in managing your diabetes. The study device, called DailyDose, will track your sensor glucose and make personalized snack recommendations at bedtime to prevent low blood sugar while you sleep. Participation in the study will consist of 6 clinic and 6 phone visits over approximately 12 weeks. Some visits can be virtual.

You may be eligible to participate if you:

  • Are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes for at least one year
  • Are age 18 years and older
  • Are using multiple daily injection therapy
  • Have an HbA1c <10% at time of screening
  • Are currently using a glucose sensor with at least 2 episodes of overnight low glucose of less than 70 mg/dl for at least 10 minutes between 10pm and 6am in last 30 days

What is involved?

  • 1.5 hour screening visit
  • Complete 4 weeks using the Dexcom G6 CGM with app
  • Complete 4 weeks using DailyDose app with Smart Snack recommendations
  • Wear an Apple watch at night and complete a survey about sleep quality each week
  • Weigh yourself weekly

Compensation is $400 for completion of all study visits. To learn more about this study or find out if you’re eligible, please contact one of the following: Debbie Branigan at 503-418-9070 or oregonapc@ohsu.edu.

Clinical Trials

Multi-site T1D Closed-Loop Study

Multi-site T1D Closed-Loop Study: Currently Seeking Adult Volunteers using t:slim X2 pump with Control IQ

This multi-site study is sponsored by OHSU with additional sites at University of Washington in Seattle. We are seeking volunteers to test a new closed loop system for patients who are currently using the t:slim X2 pump with Control IQ.  The purpose of this study is to test how well a new investigational closed loop system called iPancreas manages your blood sugar. The system uses a Dexcom G6 glucose sensor, the Omnipod insulin pump and a Polar M600 watch to determine rates of insulin to deliver. The system has the ability to detect when you forgot to enter your meal bolus insulin. You will complete two visits. For one visit, you will use our study device with Fiasp insulin starting with a 6 hour visit on campus followed by you using the system at home for 7 days. The other visit will require you to use your t:slim X2 pump with Control IQ with your own insulin for 7 days at home. Each site will enroll ~10 participants. Compensation is up to $600 for participating.

You may be eligible to participate if you are:

  • Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes for at least one year
  • Age 18 years and older
  • Using the t:slim X2 pump with Control IQ active for at least 12 weeks
  • HbA1c ≥ 7.5% at time of screening
  • Live with another person age 18 or older who will sleep in the house at night

*You can find your GMI value within your Dexcom Clarity account under AGP

What is involved?

  • 1.5 hour screening visit
  • Two 7 day visits with one 6 hour in clinic visit
  • Use the study device (Omnipod, Dexcom G6 and polar watch) with Fiasp insulin and your t:slim X2 pump with Control IQ enabled with your own insulin
  • To learn more about this study or find out if you’re eligible, please contact one of the following:

Oregon Health and Science University | Portland, Oregon

Phone: 503-418-9070                                                                      

Email: oregonapc@ohsu.edu

University of Washington | Seattle, Washington

Email: rambre@medicine.washington.edu

Advarra IRB# Pro00067326

OHSU IRB# 24218

HSDHC Homepage:

www.ohsu.edu/diabetes

Study Evaluating High Cortisol Levels in Type 2 diabetics

We are seeking volunteers to participate in a new study that will help determine if you have abnormally high levels of cortisol in your body. Study participants who do show high cortisol levels may receive an investigational drug to treat high cortisol levels.   There are two parts to the study:

  • Part 1 (Screening Phase) – During this phase you will come in and have a series of tests performed by study staff (e.g. physical, blood draw) and then be sent home with a drug called, dexamethasone, which you will take at night before returning to the clinic for a blood draw the next day. This portion of the study will let us know if you qualify for the second part of the study.
  • Part 2 (Study Treatment Phase) – If you qualify for part 2, you will be expected to come into the clinic 8 times over a 28-week period. During this phase, you will either be randomized to the study drug, Mifepristone, or the placebo. At your in-clinic visits, you will have some tests performed by study staff (e.g. EKG, blood draws) and answer questions about your health.

You might be eligible to participate in this study if:

  • You between 18 and 80 years of age
  • You have an HbA1c between 7.5% and 11.5%
  • You have had type 2 diabetes for over a year
  • You are taking insulin or glucose lowering medications
  • You have health complications due to your diabetes (e.g. diabetic retinopathy)

What is involved?

Part 1:

  • 2 in-clinic visits over two days
  • A test, using the drug Dexamethasone, to determine your body’s cortisol levels

Part 2 (if you qualify):

  • 8 in-clinic visits over a 24-week period with a 4 week follow up visit at Week 28
  • The once daily use of either Mifepristone or the placebo
  • Various in-clinic tests such as an echocardiogram (EKG), blood tests, physical exams

Compensation for completion of all study visits is up to $450.

To learn more about this study or find out if you’re eligible, please contact study staff at 503-494-4704 or email diabetesresearch@ohsu.edu.

Tandem t:slim with Control IQ pump Study

Are you interested in being part of a study that tests the Tandem t:slim with Control IQ pump for the management of Type 2 Diabetes?

This study is sponsored by Jaeb Center for Health Research, Dexcom and Tandem Diabetes Care. We are looking for volunteers that are currently using insulin therapy who are interested in the Tandem t:slim with Control IQ pump to manage their Type 2 Diabetes. The Tandem t:slim with Control IQ pump is currently being used to control patients with Type 1 Diabetes, but has not been approved for Type 2 Diabetes management.

The study consists of 5 in clinic visits and 3 check-in visits. Once you qualify, you will start the first part of the study. This consists of wearing a continuous glucose monitoring system (CGM) that you will be trained to use and will wear every day for 21-28 days. The CGM provided for the study will be the Dexcom G6. The second part of the study, you will either be randomized into the automatic insulin delivery (AID) group where you will use the Tandem t:slim with Control IQ pump for the next 13 weeks, or you will be placed in the CGM group where you will wear the provided CGM and continue your insulin therapy as usual. Some of the in-clinic visits will require physical exams, blood draws, device downloads, questionnaires, and an electrocardiogram (EKG) assessment.

Compensation for participation is up to $800.

You may be eligible if:

  • You have Type 2 Diabetes for at least 6 months
  • You are using insulin to control your diabetes
  • You are at least 18 years of age

If you would like more information please contact the research team at diabetesresearch@ohsu.edu or call (503) 494-4704.