Rebecca J. Brown, M.D., M.H.Sc., Lasker Tenure Track Investigator

Acting Section Chief:
Section on Translational Diabetes and Metabolic Syndromes, Diabetes, Endocrinology, & Obesity Branch
Scientific Focus Areas: Clinical Research, Molecular Pharmacology
Clinical Trials
Open studies conducted by NIDDK Principal Investigators appear below. Study statuses may include the following:
- Open: Recruiting - Currently recruiting participants and open to everyone who meets eligibility criteria.
- Open: Active, Not Recruiting - Participants are receiving an intervention or being examined, however new participants are not being recruited or enrolled.
- Open: Enrolling by Invitation - People in a particular population were selected in advance and invited to participate. The study is not open to everyone who meets the eligibility criteria.
- Open: Available for Expanded Access - Patients who are not participants in the clinical study may be able to gain access to the drug, biologic, or medical device being studied.
Studies Seeking Patients
Effect of Metreleptin Therapy in the Treatment of Severe Insulin Resistance
Study Description:
Patients with mutations of the insulin receptor have diabetes that is challenging to control
withconventional therapies, leading to early morbidity and mortality. We hypothesize that
recombinant leptin (metrel eptin) in these patients will improve glycemia control.
Objectives:
Primary Objective: To determine if 1 year of metreleptin will improve glycemia control in
patients with genetic defects of the insulin receptor. Secondary Objectives: To determine
mechanisms by which metreleptin improves glycemia.
Endpoints:
Primary Endpoint: Hemoglobin A1c.
Secondary Endpoints: fasting plasma glucose, fasting insulin/C-peptide,
glucose/insulin/C-peptide area under the curve during oral glucose tolerance test.
Study Population:
20 male or female patients with mutations of the insulin receptor, age (Bullet)5 years, at
the NIH Clinical Center.
Description of Sites/Facilities Enrolling Participants: Description of Study Intervention:
NIH Clinical Center
Open label study of metreleptin, 0.2 mg/kg/day (max dose 0.24 mg/kg/day).
The trial is Open with a status of Active, not recruiting.
Investigator: Rebecca J Brown, M.D.
Genetic Studies of Insulin and Diabetes
The study will allow researchers to obtain blood, plasma, DNA, and RNA for genetic studies of
insulin. There will be a focus on the causes of insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus.
Insulin is a hormone found in the body that controls the level of sugar in the blood. Insulin
resistance refers to conditions like diabetes when insulin does not work properly. In this
study researchers would like to compare patients with diabetes and other forms of insulin
resistance to normal individuals. The study will investigate how insulin attaches to cells.
Researchers will take 4 to 6 ounces (100-150 ml) of blood from adult patients and may request
up to 12 ounces (one unit) of blood if necessary. Skin samples may be taken for a biopsy if
further genetic testing is necessary. In addition some patients may be asked not to eat for
up to 72 hours prior to testing.
The trial is Open with a status of Recruiting.
Investigator: Rebecca J Brown, M.D.
Referral Contacts: Megan S Startzell, R.N. (301) 402-6371