Brain Metabolism During Hypoglycemia

Abstract

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), phosphocreatine, glucose levels, and metabolic rates were measured in several regions of the central nervous system (CNS) of normal and hypoglycemic (insulin) mice. Following insulin treatment, there was a progressive deterioration of neurological function, a uniform, marked decrease of glucose reserves, and a uniform depression of metabolic rate throughout the CNS; however, ATP and phosphocreatine levels were unaltered. These results indicate that the functional encephalopathy resulting from hypoglycemia is not due to a lack of chemical energy. Also, the present results indicate that the clinically apparent depression of neural function in progressively descending levels of the CNS during hypoglycemia is not a result of a depletion of glucose reserves or depression of metabolic rate more rapidly in the rostral portions of the CNS than in the more caudal portions.