Researchers Identify Pathway in the Body as Cause of Type 1 Diabetes

Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have identified a certain pathway in the body as the cause of type 1 diabetes. They say the pathway, ATP/P2X7R, triggers T-cell attacks on the pancreas that inhibit its ability to produce insulin. 

The researchers hope that their discovery can help change the face of type 1 diabetes treatment. Their findings could be used to develop a treatment that targets the pathway rather than controlling the symptoms of the disease. They anticipate that this revised treatment could also help prevent other complications associated with the disease. 

Although it would take years before potential treatments could even be tested on humans, the researchers are optimistic that their findings are a step in the right direction. 

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