The effects of hypoglycemia on perception and learning processes

Glucose homeostasis requires the tight regulation of glucose utilization by liver, muscle and fat tissue, and glucose production and release in the blood by liver. The major goal of maintaining glycemia at ~90 mg/dl is to ensure a sufficient flux of glucose to the brain. Activation or inhibition of the sympathetic or parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous systems are controlled by glucose-excited or glucose-inhibited neurons located at different anatomical sites, mainly in the brainstem and the hypothalamus. Glucose is imperative metabolic substrates for brain and visceral organ function and so glucose homeostasis is regulated with high precision by hormones and ANS activities. As shown, hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) has autonomic and neuroglicopenic effects. In this study we recorded reaction times against a particular sound stimulating in order to the effects of hypoglycemia on perception and learning. To this end, reaction times of 7 patients who required testing with Insulin- Induced Hypoglycemia in Clinics of Endocrinology and Metabolism Diseases of Bezmialem Foundation University (Istanbul, Turkey), are recorded. Our preliminary results indicate that hypoglycemia has negative effects on perception of delay and learning.