Brain blood flow patterns linked to hypoglycemia and thinking problems in diabetes
Official title: Brain Vascular Signatures in Drug-induced Recurrent Hypoglycemia and Associated Cognitive Dysfunction
Funded at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign · NIH-11364144 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study is testing a new brain-imaging technique to see how recurrent low blood sugar affects brain blood flow and thinking in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Champaign, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $417,663 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK138939-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11364144 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with type 2 diabetes who experience or are at risk for recurrent hypoglycemia.
✕Less likely to help
People without diabetes or those not experiencing hypoglycemia may not benefit from this study.
What this research studies
This project will use a cutting-edge head-mounted PAUL imaging system to watch brain blood flow and oxygen use as participants perform cognitive tasks. By linking vascular signals to cognitive performance, it aims to reveal how repeated hypoglycemia may contribute to memory and thinking difficulties in type 2 diabetes. The study will involve adults with Type 2 diabetes and will compare brain vascular responses during cognitive challenges to behavioral outcomes. The goal is to better understand the brain changes that accompany hypoglycemia-related cognitive decline and to inform future interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help identify brain signatures of hypoglycemia-related cognitive decline and guide strategies to protect thinking skills in diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous imaging studies have linked hypoglycemia to cognitive changes, but this project introduces a novel imaging modality to visualize brain vascular changes during cognition.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Yun-Sheng — University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Study coordinator: Chen, Yun-Sheng
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding Brain Changes from Low Blood Sugar in Type 2 Diabetes
This research explores how repeated episodes of low blood sugar in people with Type 2 diabetes affect their brain and thinking abilities.
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Investigating how low blood sugar affects brain function and cognition in diabetes patients
This study is looking at how low blood sugar episodes affect thinking and memory in people with Type 2 diabetes by using a special imaging technique to see how blood flow in the brain changes during mental tasks.
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Technological and Educational Approaches to Restore Hypoglycemia Awareness in Type 1 Diabetes
A two-arm study in adults with type 1 diabetes tests whether high-tech glucose control plus education or targeted training can help people regain awareness of low blood sugar.
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Techniques for restoring awareness of low blood sugar in adults with type 1 diabetes
A randomized trial compares different approaches to help adults with type 1 diabetes recognize when their blood sugar is dipping so they can act quickly.
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Treating impaired hypoglycemia awareness in type 1 diabetes with targeted education and technology
This study tests two treatment approaches to help adults with type 1 diabetes who often don’t realize their blood sugar is getting too low, using a mix of technology and education in two large groups.
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Helping people with type 1 diabetes regain awareness of dangerous lows
A UK study tests two different approaches to help adults with type 1 diabetes recognize and respond to low blood sugar by comparing a high-tech insulin system with targeted education.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.