Analysis of the genetic and epidemiological contributors to aging-related traits in the Diabetes Heart Study
Type 2 diabetes (T2D), a disease which affects more than 25% of adults over age 65 in the United States, is characterized by persistent elevations in blood glucose due to lower insulin production and elevated resistance to insulin’s actions in the peripheral tissues. T2D increases risk for a number of age-related comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline. Risk of these comorbidities is thought to be influenced by both clinical factors, including differences in treatment, lifestyle, and environment, and genetic risk factors. This dissertation explores a number of potential contributors to these comorbidities in the family-based, T2D enriched Diabetes Heart Study cohort.
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