THE GENNID STUDY - A RESOURCE FOR MAPPING THE GENES THAT CAUSE NIDDM

OBJECTIVE - To develop a resource, consisting of comprehensive data an d lymphoblastoid cell lines, of well-characterized NIDDM families that will be available to the scientific community for genetic studies of NIDDM. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - Non-Hispanic white, Hispanic, Afr ican-American, and Japanese-American multiplex NIDDM families, viith a minimum of one affected sib-pair, are being collected by the eight Ha rold Rifkin Family Acquisition Centers. Detailed family and medical hi stories are obtained from all participants. Family members with diabet es have fasting blood samples drawn, while nondiabetic family members have an oral glucose tolerance test and, when possible, insulin sensit ivity and insulin secretion measurements by frequently sampled intrave nous glucose tolerance resting or euglycemic insulin clamp. Lympho bla stoid cell lines are established for all participants. RESULTS - Over 1,400 individuals from similar to 220 families have been studied since the start of the GENNID (Genetics of NIDDM) program in July 1993. The goal is that by July 1997, data from 300 non-Hispanic white families, >100 Hispanic families, >100 African-American families, and 15 Japane se-American families will have been collected. CONCLUSIONS - The ident ification of the genes responsible for NIDDM may now be achievable, bu t only if sound phenotypic data are linked to genetic material from a large number of well-described multiplex families. The GENNID project of the American Diabetes Association is creating a comprehensive resou rce that will expedite the identification of the genetic basis of NIDD M.