Abstract

The brain relies almost exclusively on glucose for fuel. Therefore, adequate uptake of glucose from the plasma is key for normal brain function and survival. Despite wide variations in glucose flux (i.e., fed state, fasting state, etc), blood glucose is maintained in a very narrow range. This is accomplished by a series of hormonal and physiologic responses. As a result, hypoglycemia is a rare occurrence in normal individuals. However, glucose counterregulatory responses are altered in patients with diabetes treated with insulin especially after repeated hypoglycemia or antecedent exercise.

Authors

Sprague JE, Arbeláez AM

Institution

Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.

Source

Pediatric endocrinology reviews : PER 9:1 2011 Sep pg 463-73; quiz 474-5

MeSH

Age Factors
Algorithms
Blood Glucose
Central Nervous System
Child
Eating
Feedback, Physiological
Glucose
Humans
Hypoglycemia
Infant
Intestinal Absorption
Models, Biological

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Review

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22783644