National body set up to study Monogenic diabetes

Overview: A National Monogenic Diabetes Study Group has been formed to identify cases of monogenic diabetes across the country. Supported by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF) and Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre (DMDSC) will be the national coordinating centre for the study group. 

What is Monogenic Diabetes?

Monogenic diabetes is a group of disorders where mutation of a single gene causes diabetes; the three commonest forms being – Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY), Neonatal Diabetes Mellitus (NDM) and Congenital Hypoglycaemia.

Factors of Monogenic diabetes:

• Monogenic diabetes is usually passed on in an autosomal dominant gene, (a sex independent gene that’s inherited from one of the parents). This means only one copy of the mutation is needed to develop diabetes.
• There is usually a strong family history of diabetes and in multiple generations, (although it’s possible for someone to have a spontaneous mutation). Diagnosis, therefore, involves genetic testing for these diabetes-causing gene mutations that disrupt insulin production.
• Monogenic diabetes patients are also usually antibody negative, (though there are cases where low levels of antibodies have been detected). Once treatment for the diabetes begins, the antibodies usually resolve.

In addition to blood sugar issues, some of the forms of Monogenic diabetes involve metabolic issues such as:

• Growth problems.
• Impaired glycogen storage in the liver.
• Impaired fatty acid metabolism.
• Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

Sources: the hindu.