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

Launched by ANNA STANHEWICZ, PHD · Mar 28, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) affects blood flow in the brain and the function of blood vessels after pregnancy. GDM is a type of diabetes that can occur during pregnancy, and women who have had it are at a higher risk for certain health issues later on, including problems with blood vessels in the brain. The researchers want to see if there are any differences in brain blood flow and vessel function between women who had GDM and those who had normal pregnancies.

To participate in this study, women must be at least 18 years old, have delivered within the last five years, and have either a history of GDM or an uncomplicated pregnancy. Participants will undergo non-invasive tests using ultrasound to measure brain blood flow and will also have some blood tests to check their overall health. The study is not yet recruiting participants, but it aims to gather important information about how GDM might impact women's health after childbirth. This research could help improve care for women who have had gestational diabetes.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• INCLUSION CRITERIA:
• • 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 CRITERIA: We exclude participants from both groups for:
• • 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