Real-time autonomic responses to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia in volunteers with type I diabetes compared to controls
Key result
Hypoglycemia in T1D impairs counterregulation vs controls, causing delayed glucose recovery and autonomic overactivity.
- n=12
Why the study?
In type 1 diabetes, normal counterregulatory autonomic mechanisms against hypoglycaemia are diminished, leaving the recovery of parasympathetic and sympathetic tone unclear.
Does insulin-induced hypoglycemia cause different autonomic responses in individuals with type 1 diabetes compared to healthy controls?
Structured PICO
Does insulin-induced hypoglycemia cause different autonomic responses in individuals with type 1 diabetes compared to healthy controls?
P
Population
12 participants, comprising 6 individuals with uncomplicated type 1 diabetes and 6 age- and sex-matched controls, evaluated during and up to 240 minutes after insulin-induced hypoglycaemia.
I
Intervention
Insulin injection to induce hypoglycemia.
C
Comparator
Age and sex-matched controls undergoing the same insulin-induced hypoglycemia.
O
Outcome
Recovery of parasympathetic (cardiac vagal tone) and sympathetic (skin blood flow) tone from hypoglycemia to normoglycemia, measured at baseline, hypoglycemia, and 30, 60, 120, and 240 minutes post-hypoglycemia.surrogate
Individuals with type 1 diabetes exhibit defective counterregulatory autonomic mechanisms to hypoglycemia, characterized by delayed recovery and rebound overactivity of parasympathetic and sympathetic tone.
Authors
Discussion
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Implication
May warrant extended post-hypoglycemia monitoring in T1D; leaves open whether autonomic-targeted interventions improve counterregulation.
Cite This Study
Poulsen et al. (2025) studied Type 1 diabetes (n=12). Insulin-induced hypoglycaemia vs. Healthy controls was evaluated on Recovery of parasympathetic (cardiac vagal tone) and sympathetic (skin blood flow) tone from hypoglycaemia to normoglycemia. Insulin-induced hypoglycaemia demonstrated defective counterregulatory mechanisms in type 1 diabetes compared to controls, with delayed glucose recovery and rebound autonomic overactivity.