Worldwide project to investigate how hypos can be prevented

A four-year project is being planned to understand the mechanisms behind hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in people with type 1 diabetes, and how it can be prevented.
The £23.6m project involves 10 countries and will further investigate how hypos can be predicted and how they impact people’s lives.
Professor Rory McCrimmo, professor of experimental diabetes and metabolism, associate dean of research at the School of Medicine at the University of Dundee, is the most recent name to sign up to participate in the worldwide Hypo-RESOLVE study, funded by JDRF.
The study will also calculate the financial cost of hypos in different countries and strive to create interventions to improve patient treatments.
Dr Stephen Gough, global chief medical officer at Novo Nordisk who is leading the project, said: “This consortium brings together world leaders from the field of diabetes to reduce the burden of hypoglycemia.
“Hypo-RESOLVE paves the way for further research on glucose-lowering interventions that will serve people living with diabetes, clinicians and healthcare companies.”
Dr Sanjoy Dutta, the organisation’s assistant vice President for research and international partnerships, said: “Hypoglycemia remains the most pressing concern of all individuals living with diabetes, particularly insulin-requiring diabetes such as type 1 diabetes.
“JDRF is pleased to be an active leader in this large public-private partnership to represent the voices of people affected with this condition, and to collectively understand the causes of and identify solutions to prevent hypoglycemia.”
Hypoglycemia develops when blood glucose levels drop lower than the normal range. Symptoms can include sweating, fatigue and feeling dizzy. A mild hypo can be treated by eating fast acting carbohydrate. If hypoglycemia comes on very quickly, suddenly or is otherwise not treated in time, it can be serious and can lead to loss of consciousness or, in rarer cases, coma.
For more information on the causes, treatments and prevention of hypos, visit our Hypo Training Programsevere hypoglycemia.