Neuroendocrine responses to hypoglycemia

N Tesfaye, ER Seaquist - Annals of the New York Academy of …, 2010 - Wiley Online Library
N Tesfaye, ER Seaquist
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 2010Wiley Online Library
The counterregulatory response to hypoglycemia is a complex and well‐coordinated
process. As blood glucose concentration declines, peripheral and central glucose sensors
relay this information to central integrative centers to coordinate neuroendocrine, autonomic,
and behavioral responses and avert the progression of hypoglycemia. Diabetes, both type 1
and type 2, can perturb these counterregulatory responses. Moreover, defective
counterregulation in the setting of diabetes can progress to hypoglycemia unawareness …
The counterregulatory response to hypoglycemia is a complex and well‐coordinated process. As blood glucose concentration declines, peripheral and central glucose sensors relay this information to central integrative centers to coordinate neuroendocrine, autonomic, and behavioral responses and avert the progression of hypoglycemia. Diabetes, both type 1 and type 2, can perturb these counterregulatory responses. Moreover, defective counterregulation in the setting of diabetes can progress to hypoglycemia unawareness. While the mechanisms that underlie the development of hypoglycemia unawareness are not completely known, possible causes include altered sensing of hypoglycemia by the brain and/or impaired coordination of responses to hypoglycemia. Further study is needed to better understand the intricacies of the counterregulatory response and the mechanisms contributing to the development of hypoglycemia unawareness.
Wiley Online Library