DEAR DR. ROACH: My grandson has just been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. I’m wondering which new therapies are out there for consideration in treating this. Are there any new discoveries involving gene-altering, pancreas transplants or something else? I am willing to join any study group that is looking at this or any other group that helps others. I am at such a loss. I know that he and all the others can do well, but I guess I want more information. — G.S.

ANSWER: Type 1 diabetes is very common. It is an autoimmune disorder where the body destroys the islet cells in the pancreas that make insulin.

New treatments for Type 1 diabetes are being actively studied. Powerful genetic tools such as CRISPR-Cas9 have the potential to revolutionize the treatment of Type 1 diabetes. Stem cells, islet-cell transplants, and pancreas transplants have also been used.

However, none of these treatments are currently the standard of care in a newly diagnosed person with Type 1 diabetes. Currently, stem cells and transplants are reserved for people whose diabetes cannot be controlled by the standard treatments.

What has changed is the early adoption of continuous glucose monitors, which measure blood sugar every few minutes without the need of a finger prick. These measure the time in the desired range, which can help a person adjust their dosing properly. They can also predict when blood sugar is getting too low, even before it is out of range, and similarly when blood sugar is starting to spike.

When combined with an insulin pump, the system can adjust insulin levels to help minimize too-low blood sugars (hypoglycemia events, also called insulin reactions) and prevent or control too-high blood sugars (hyperglycemia). This ability is rapidly improving.

Excellent control of Type 1 diabetes immediately after a diagnosis has the potential to preserve some function of the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas, which makes the person need less insulin. A larger-than-expected number of physicians and other health professionals also have Type 1 diabetes, and I have many colleagues with this condition. With diligence, people can go decades without getting complications of diabetes, such as kidney, eye or nerve damage.

Your grandson will work with an endocrinologist with expertise in Type 1 diabetes, and this person should be your first contact. There are many groups where you can learn more about diabetes, but the largest by far is the American Diabetes Association, which has done great work and whose website is very extensive.

DEAR DR. ROACH: Could frontotemporal dementia be caused by premature birth? My brother was born at six months and weighed 2 pounds, 4 ounces. He was in an incubator for almost three months. At birth, the only visible medical issue was that his eyes were crossed.

He has been disabled with frontal lobe brain issues for over 15 years. His memory seems to be getting worse as he ages. He was born in 1955 and resides at an adult family home for his care. — D.K.

ANSWER: Premature birth is a risk for brain changes and cognitive impairment. The parts of the brain that are involved often do include the frontal and temporal lobes. However, premature birth is a separate issue that is unrelated to the degenerative disease frontotemporal dementia.

It typically causes symptoms in a person’s 50s after normal development and previously normal neurological/cognitive function. The earlier in gestation that a person is born, the greater the risk.

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Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu. (c) 2025 North America Syndicate Inc. All Rights Reserved