# Glycemia and Cardiac Involvement in Friedreich's Ataxia

> **NIH NIH F32** · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · 2022 · $94,550

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The overarching goal of this study is to evaluate the relationship between measures of glycemia
and measures of cardiac involvement in individuals with Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA). FA is a rare,
neuromuscular disorder commonly complicated by diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, and
cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyopathy is a common cause of death in FA due to arrythmias or heart
failure. This study will examine the association between increased glucose variability and
excursion and cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction. To do this, we will leverage the FA Clinical
Outcomes Measures Study with over 1000 participants, over 400 of whom are followed at the
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. We will evaluate glycemic variability using continuous
glucose monitors and glucose and insulin metabolism using stable-isotope oral glucose
tolerance tests. From a cardiac perspective, we will use both readily available recent clinical
echocardiograms as well as, in a smaller pilot cohort, detailed echocardiograms to evaluate
early markers of cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction. The evaluation of this association will
lead to future proposals studying the impact of intervening on glucose abnormalities in order to
improve long term cardiac outcomes. In addition to this important research goal, this proposal
also provides training opportunities. I will learn critical skills in human subjects’ research through
both the completion of this study and didactic courses in statistics and clinical trials. By utilizing
the stable-isotope oral glucose tolerance test, I will extend my understanding of lactate and
glucose metabolism, as well as modelling of insulin secretion and sensitivity. I will complete a
NIH workshop on the use of stable-isotopes to further this learning. Finally, I will increase my
knowledge regarding cardiac imaging and cardiovascular endocrinology. This experiential and
didactic learning will be in conjunction with continued professional development, grant writing,
manuscript writing, and the continued attainment of clinical skills in pediatric endocrinology and
diabetes. The Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award for the Individual
Postdoctoral Fellow (F32) will position me optimally to propose a K23 career development
award furthering these research interests on the clinically relevant intersection of cardiology and
diabetology in this rare disease.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10468320
- **Project number:** 5F32DK128970-03
- **Recipient organization:** VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Jaclyn Tamaroff
- **Activity code:** F32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $94,550
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-08-11 → 2023-08-08

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10468320

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10468320, Glycemia and Cardiac Involvement in Friedreich's Ataxia (5F32DK128970-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10468320. Licensed CC0.

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