Orexin brain cells and loss of low-blood-sugar awareness in diabetes
Orexin glucose-inhibited neurons and hypoglycemia unawareness
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 ID | NIH-11293441 on NIH RePORTER |
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.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: 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.
Not a fit: People without diabetes or those who do not use insulin and rarely have low blood sugar are unlikely to benefit directly from this research.
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 performed: 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
Newark, UNITED STATES
- 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
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 below.