Understanding Brain Changes from Low Blood Sugar in Type 2 Diabetes
Brain Vascular Signatures in Drug-induced Recurrent Hypoglycemia and Associated Cognitive Dysfunction
This research explores how repeated episodes of low blood sugar in people with Type 2 diabetes affect their brain and thinking abilities.
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 ID | NIH-11083684 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many people with Type 2 diabetes experience low blood sugar, often due to medication, which can lead to serious problems and affect their memory and thinking. When low blood sugar happens often, it can even make it harder to notice when it's happening, increasing the risk of severe episodes and cognitive decline, including dementia. This project uses a new head-mounted imaging technique to get a very detailed look at blood flow and oxygen levels in the brain. By observing these brain changes during thinking tasks, we hope to better understand the link between low blood sugar and cognitive issues.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is relevant for individuals with Type 2 diabetes who experience recurrent episodes of low blood sugar and are concerned about their cognitive health.
Not a fit: Patients without Type 2 diabetes or those who do not experience medication-induced low blood sugar may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help us better understand how low blood sugar impacts the brain, potentially leading to new ways to prevent or manage cognitive decline in people with Type 2 diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: This project introduces a novel imaging technique to visualize brain vascular changes, offering a new approach to a complex problem that has been challenging to study with existing methods.
Where this research is happening
Champaign, United States
- 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
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.