How brain cells called astrocytes control blood flow during low blood sugar
Official title: Astrocyte regulation of cerebral blood flow during hypoglycemia
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-11160734 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work explores how specialized brain cells called astrocytes help increase blood flow to the brain when blood sugar levels drop too low, a serious issue for people with diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $385,573 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS126166-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11160734 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational research is not recruiting patients directly, but future clinical applications would target individuals with diabetes at risk for severe hypoglycemia and related brain injury.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not at risk for hypoglycemia or those without diabetes-related complications would not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
When blood sugar levels become dangerously low, a condition known as hypoglycemia, the brain tries to protect itself by increasing blood flow. This project aims to understand if astrocytes, a type of brain cell, play a key role in this protective response. Researchers will observe astrocyte activity and blood vessel changes in mice as their blood sugar is lowered. They will also look at how a molecule called adenosine might signal astrocytes to release substances that widen blood vessels during hypoglycemia. Understanding these processes could lead to new ways to protect the brain from damage caused by low blood sugar.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments or strategies to prevent brain damage and cognitive problems in patients who experience severe hypoglycemia.
How similar studies have gone: While the role of astrocytes in general brain blood flow is known, this specific hypothesis about their mediation of hypoglycemia-induced vessel dilation is novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Newman, Eric a — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Newman, Eric a
Related research
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Treating impaired hypoglycemia awareness in type 1 diabetes with targeted education and technology
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Understanding how hypoglycemia awareness changes in adults with type 1 diabetes and how automated insulin delivery and exercise might help restore it
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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.