Studies were conducted to determine whether Exendin-4 imaging can help us understand the effect of gastric bypass surgery on beta cells and visualize the presence of GLP-1 receptors in the body.
Following gastric bypass surgery, Exendin-4 uptake in the pancreas increased among people with obesity and severe type 2 diabetes. This may indicate an increase in the number of beta cells. There was no change in people with less severe diabetes. We also found that 3D-printed phantoms can help with technical improvements for quantifying uptake in the pancreas. Finally, we described the uptake of Exendin-4 in organs other than the pancreas and how this corresponds with the presence of GLP-1 receptors, as described in other studies.
In the future, Exendin-4 imaging may help lead to a better understanding of the role of beta cells and GLP-1 receptors in type 2 diabetes and obesity. This is important for developing better and more personalized prevention strategies or treatments.
About the PhD candidate
Laura Deden (1989) obtained her Master's degree in Technical Medicine, cum laude, at the University of Twente in 2014. In 2014 she started her PhD research at Vitalys clinic (Rijnstate) and the Department of Nuclear Medicine of Radboudumc. From 2018 until 2024 she worked as senior researcher at Vitalys. Currently, she works as a technical physician at the Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine (since 2018) and in the Innovation team at the Department of Innovation and Healthcare Transformation (since 2024) in Rijnstate.