Glucagon secretion in Type 1 diabetes
Researcher
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Project Lead A/Prof. Tony Verberne
+61 3 9496 5978
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)