Glucose Sensing Neurons in the Ventromedial Hypothalamus
Neurons whose activity is regulated by glucose are found in a number of brain regions. Glucose-excited (GE) neurons increase while glucose-inhibited (GI) neurons decrease their action potential frequency as interstitial brain glucose levels increase. We hypothesize that these neurons evolved to sens...
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doaj-2da64cdb258b4be4a93804c6713af2912020-11-24T21:18:28ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202010-10-0110109002902510.3390/s101009002Glucose Sensing Neurons in the Ventromedial HypothalamusVanessa H. RouthNeurons whose activity is regulated by glucose are found in a number of brain regions. Glucose-excited (GE) neurons increase while glucose-inhibited (GI) neurons decrease their action potential frequency as interstitial brain glucose levels increase. We hypothesize that these neurons evolved to sense and respond to severe energy deficit (e.g., fasting) that threatens the brains glucose supply. During modern times, they are also important for the restoration of blood glucose levels following insulin-induced hypoglycemia. Our data suggest that impaired glucose sensing by hypothalamic glucose sensing neurons may contribute to the syndrome known as hypoglycemia-associated autonomic failure in which the mechanisms which restore euglycemia following hypoglycemia become impaired. On the other hand, increased responses of glucose sensing neurons to glucose deficit may play a role in the development of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and obesity. This review will discuss the mechanisms by which glucose sensing neurons sense changes in interstitial glucose and explore the roles of these specialized glucose sensors in glucose and energy homeostasis. http://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/10/10/9002/glucose-excited neuronsglucose-inhibited neuronsinsulinleptinobesitydiabeteshypoglycemiahypoglycemia-associated autonomic failurefasting |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Vanessa H. Routh |
spellingShingle |
Vanessa H. Routh Glucose Sensing Neurons in the Ventromedial Hypothalamus Sensors glucose-excited neurons glucose-inhibited neurons insulin leptin obesity diabetes hypoglycemia hypoglycemia-associated autonomic failure fasting |
author_facet |
Vanessa H. Routh |
author_sort |
Vanessa H. Routh |
title |
Glucose Sensing Neurons in the Ventromedial Hypothalamus |
title_short |
Glucose Sensing Neurons in the Ventromedial Hypothalamus |
title_full |
Glucose Sensing Neurons in the Ventromedial Hypothalamus |
title_fullStr |
Glucose Sensing Neurons in the Ventromedial Hypothalamus |
title_full_unstemmed |
Glucose Sensing Neurons in the Ventromedial Hypothalamus |
title_sort |
glucose sensing neurons in the ventromedial hypothalamus |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Sensors |
issn |
1424-8220 |
publishDate |
2010-10-01 |
description |
Neurons whose activity is regulated by glucose are found in a number of brain regions. Glucose-excited (GE) neurons increase while glucose-inhibited (GI) neurons decrease their action potential frequency as interstitial brain glucose levels increase. We hypothesize that these neurons evolved to sense and respond to severe energy deficit (e.g., fasting) that threatens the brains glucose supply. During modern times, they are also important for the restoration of blood glucose levels following insulin-induced hypoglycemia. Our data suggest that impaired glucose sensing by hypothalamic glucose sensing neurons may contribute to the syndrome known as hypoglycemia-associated autonomic failure in which the mechanisms which restore euglycemia following hypoglycemia become impaired. On the other hand, increased responses of glucose sensing neurons to glucose deficit may play a role in the development of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and obesity. This review will discuss the mechanisms by which glucose sensing neurons sense changes in interstitial glucose and explore the roles of these specialized glucose sensors in glucose and energy homeostasis. |
topic |
glucose-excited neurons glucose-inhibited neurons insulin leptin obesity diabetes hypoglycemia hypoglycemia-associated autonomic failure fasting |
url |
http://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/10/10/9002/ |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT vanessahrouth glucosesensingneuronsintheventromedialhypothalamus |
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