Glucagon secretion in Type 1 diabetes

Project Details

Glucagon is an important glucose counter-regulatory hormone that is secreted by the α-cells of the pancreas. It is normally secreted during bouts of low blood sugar or hypoglycaemia. In Type 1 diabetes this response is lost soon after diagnosis, severely compromising the recovery from hypoglycaemia.

Hypoglycaemia is detected by glucose-sensing neurons that are located in several brain regions including the hypothalamus. Hypothalamic glucose-sensing neurons are important for control of adrenaline secretion during hypoglycaemia (Korim et al., 2016).

Using a combination of neurophysiological and neuroanatomical techniques, we are studying the mechanisms that underpin pancreatic glucagon secretion in diabetes.

Collaborators

  • Professor Ida J. Llewellyn-Smith, Flinders University
  • Dr Willian S. Korim, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
  • Dr Bashair Mussa, Sharjah University, United Arab Emirates

Funding

  • Diabetes Australia Research Trust (2017)
  • The Rebecca Cooper Medical Research Foundation (2017)
  • Austin Medical Research Foundation (2017)

Research Group

Integrative Neurophysiology


Faculty Research Themes

Neuroscience

School Research Themes

Neuroscience & Psychiatry


Key Contact

For further information about this research, please contact the research group leader.

Department / Centre

Medicine

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