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2018: Tablets could replace insulin injections

Research concludes that medicine in the form of tablets could replace insulin injections for children with neonatal diabetes.

Photo:

Maren Toftdahl

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By Maria Holmaas and NRK HordalandUpdated: 21.02.2022 (First published: 06.06.2018)

15 years ago, Therese (16) was the first patient in Norway that recieved treatment in the form of tablets. She administer tablets that replace insulin injections, and research concludes that she likely could keep doing this for the rest of her life.

Photo:

Julie A. Teigen

Professor Pål R. Njølstad og and researchers at the University of Bergen discovered that some children are born with mutations in a gene encoding a channel in the cells that produce insulin. The researchers knew that sulfonylurea tablets bind to this channel, and started wondering if these patients could be treated with sulfonylurea tablets.

Types of diabetes

There are two main forms of diabetes (type 1 and type 2), but researchers believe there are about 50 subcategories of diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is commonly referred to as insulin-dependent diabetes.
The insulin-producing cells in the body are recognized as foreign by the immune system, and therefore destroyed.
Patients with type 1 diabetes need external insulin to survive, in the form of either injections or pumps.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes.
Patients with type 2 diabetes are often treated with weight loss, physical activity and a healthy diet, but insulin injections often become necessary for many patients.

Neonatal diabetes

Neonatal diabetes affect few individuals in Norway.
Researchers in Bergen has discovered a medicine that precisely target this group of patients.

Relevant links

Therese (16) treng aldri meir ta insulinsprøyte

Vil gi mange barn en ny og bedre hverdag

Intervju med Pål R. Njølstad