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Understanding Brain Blood Flow After Gestational Diabetes

This study is looking at how gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) might affect blood flow and vessel health in the brain after pregnancy. Researchers want to understand if women who had gestational diabetes have different brain blood vessel function compared to women who had uncomplicated pregnancies. You might be able to join if you are a woman between 18 and 50 years old, delivered a baby within the last 5 years, and either had gestational diabetes or an uncomplicated pregnancy. The study involves tests like Intradermal Microdialysis (where tiny tubes are placed in the skin to test how blood vessels react to Ringer's solution, L-NAME, or ketorolac), Brain Blood Flow Tests (using CO2 breathing), and Local Heating of the skin. The main goals are to see how blood flow in major brain arteries and tiny skin vessels changes during these tests.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 84 women to understand the effects of gestational diabetes on blood vessel function after pregnancy.
What's involved
You will participate in a single study visit lasting about 5 hours, which includes various blood flow tests and skin procedures.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The main measurements for this study are taken during the single 5-hour study visit.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06911372

The Impact of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus on Cerebral Blood Flow and Cerebrovascular Function After Pregnancy

Recruiting
PHASE1Ages 18–50InterventionalBasic science
Anna Stanhewicz, PhD
~84 participants
Updated 2025-12-16 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Intradermal MicrodialysisBrain Blood Flow TestsLocal Heating

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Stepped hypercapnia-induced change in middle cerebral artery velocity
Measured over During the study visit, an average of 5 hours
+2 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM)
Postpartum Women
Uncomplicated Pregnancy

Explore related trials

Gestational DiabetesUncomplicated pregnancy

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Iowa1

Who to contact

Anna Reid-Stanhewicz, PHD
[email protected]
319-467-1732
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Post-partum women
18 years or older
Delivered within 5 years from the study visit
History of gestational diabetes diagnosed by an obstetrician and confirmed according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists criteria for gestational diabetes OR history of uncomplicated pregnancy (defined as no history of gestational diabetes, hypertensive pregnancy, or other gestational disorder).

Exclusion

Skin diseases
Current tobacco use
Diagnosed or suspected hepatic or metabolic disease including diabetes
Diagnosed with depression or other mood-related disorders, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, or pulmonary fibrosis
Use of prescribed NSAIDs, statins or other cholesterol-lowering medication, antihypertensive medication, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, corticosteroids, thyroid medications, antidepressants or mood stabilizers, diuretics, phenothiazines, or benzodiazepines
History of preeclampsia or gestational hypertension,
History or family history of panic disorder,
Currently pregnant
Body mass index \<18.5 kg/m2,
Allergy to materials used during the experiment (e.g. latex), known allergies to study drugs.
History of heavy alcohol use/binge drinking,
Have planned procedures with radiological contrast,
Have a major dental procedure/surgery coming up, such as a dental extraction
Anatomy of the middle cerebral artery or internal carotid artery that prevents adequate ultrasonography and/or and data collection

What this trial measures

  • Stepped hypercapnia-induced change in middle cerebral artery velocityDuring the study visit, an average of 5 hours

    Middle cerebral artery velocity responses to stepped concentrations of inhaled carbon dioxide gas

  • Hypercapnia-induced change in internal carotid artery diameterDuring the study visit, an average of 5 hours

    Internal carotid artery shear-mediated dilation response to inhaled carbon dioxide

  • Change in microvascular blood flow response to increasing concentrations of acetylcholineDuring the study visit, an average of 5 hours

    Cutaneous vascular vasodilator responses to acetylcholine perfusion in lactated Ringer's, ketorolac, and L-NAME treated microdialysis sites.