Jarrad Scarlett, MD, PhD
Email: Jarrad.Scarlett@seattlechildrens.org
- Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology
- Home Department Website: http://www.washington.edu/medicine/pediatrics/specialties/gastroenterology
- Seattle Children's Hospital Website: https://www.seattlechildrens.org/directory/jarrad-matthew-scarlett/
After completing his undergraduate training at the University of Washington (UW) and earning Bachelor of Science degrees in both Neurobiology and Biochemistry, Dr. Scarlett was accepted into the Medical Scientist Training Program at Oregon Health & Sciences University (OHSU) where he obtained both a Ph.D. in Neuroscience and his M.D. He then went on to complete his residency training in Pediatrics at OHSU in 2012 and his fellowship training in Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Seattle Children’s Hospital (SCH) in 2015. Dr. Scarlett was promoted to Assistant Professor in 2017.
Research Interests
Recent work in the field of diabetes research supports the concept of a brain-centered glucoregulatory system that works cooperatively with pancreatic islets to regulate blood glucose. Dr. Scarlett’s post-doctoral work identified that the brain is a target for the fibroblast growth factor, FGF1, and that in response to central FGF1 administration that the brain can promote sustained glucose lowering in murine models of obesity and diabetes. Current studies are focused on elucidating the specific central neurocircuits and signaling pathways that are targeted by central FGF1 therapy and the peripheral mechanisms that are responsible for promoting remission of diabetic hyperglycemia.
How can this research help people with diabetes?
Current treatment regimens for T2D, which rely upon daily drug dosing and frequent glucose monitoring to normalize blood sugar levels, can delay disease progression, but they do not achieve lasting diabetes remission and hence cannot prevent disease progression. Therefore, a compelling need for new, more effective treatment options exists, and growing evidence points to brain neurocircuits involved in glucose homeostasis as potential therapeutic targets. However, to fully realize the potential of such translational advances, an improved understanding of the central and peripheral mechanisms that control glucose homeostasis is required. By identifying the mechanisms whereby FGF1 action in the brain induces sustained remission of diabetic hyperglycemia, we hope to identify new therapeutics with the potential to improve treatment outcomes for patients with diabetes.