Understanding how low leptin levels affect the body's response to low blood sugar
Official title: Evaluating the role of hypoleptinemia in impaired counterregulatory responses to hypoglycemia
Funded at Lsu Pennington Biomedical Research Ctr · NIH-11030233 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how low levels of a hormone called leptin might make it harder for people with diabetes to handle low blood sugar, especially after things like exercise or drinking alcohol, and it hopes to find new ways to help manage blood sugar better and keep you safe from low blood sugar episodes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Lsu Pennington Biomedical Research Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baton Rouge, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $375,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK131165-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11030233 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with diabetes who experience recurrent episodes of hypoglycemia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have diabetes or do not experience hypoglycemic episodes may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how low levels of leptin, a hormone that helps regulate energy balance, may impair the body's ability to respond to low blood sugar in individuals with diabetes. The study aims to identify the mechanisms behind this impairment, particularly in relation to factors like recurrent low blood sugar episodes, exercise, and alcohol consumption. By developing pre-clinical data, the research seeks to find new drug targets that could help prevent hypoglycemic complications, ultimately improving treatment options for patients. The findings could lead to more effective strategies for managing blood sugar levels and reducing the risks associated with hypoglycemia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that significantly reduce the risk of hypoglycemia in people with diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated potential success in understanding hormonal influences on blood sugar regulation, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Lsu Pennington Biomedical Research Ctr
Baton Rouge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcdougal, David Harry — Lsu Pennington Biomedical Research Ctr
- Study coordinator: Mcdougal, David Harry
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
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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.
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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.