Orexin brain cells and loss of low-blood-sugar awareness in diabetes
Official title: Orexin glucose-inhibited neurons and hypoglycemia unawareness
Funded at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · NIH-11293441 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are looking at brain cells called orexin neurons to learn why some people with diabetes stop noticing dangerously low blood sugar.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $529,705 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK135857-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11293441 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with type 1 diabetes or insulin-treated type 2 diabetes who experience frequent hypoglycemia or reduced awareness of low blood sugar are the most relevant candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without diabetes or those who do not use insulin and rarely have low blood sugar are unlikely to benefit directly from this research.
What this research studies
This project uses new animal models that mimic repeated low blood sugar to study how orexin-expressing neurons in the brain change after repeated hypoglycemia. The team translated a rat model into mice and will monitor hormonal responses (like glucagon and epinephrine) and behavioral signs that normally warn people of low glucose. They will manipulate orexin neurons to see whether altering their activity restores warning symptoms and the body's counterregulatory responses. Findings are intended to point toward biological targets that could prevent or reverse loss of hypoglycemia awareness.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify targets for treatments that help people with diabetes retain or regain symptoms that warn them of dangerously low blood sugar.
How similar studies have gone: While the hormonal counterregulatory response has been well studied, applying orexin-neuron focused approaches to hypoglycemia unawareness is relatively new and enabled by recent animal models.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Routh, Vanessa H — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Routh, Vanessa H
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.
-
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.
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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
This study will look at adults with type 1 diabetes to see how their awareness of low blood sugar evolves over time and whether automated insulin delivery and high-intensity exercise can help restore that awareness.
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Glucagon Pump Therapy for PBH in People After Bariatric Surgery
A new approach uses a patch pump and smart control to deliver glucagon during meal-related lows in adults who had bariatric surgery and developed dangerous hypoglycemia.
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.