Funding News - Research on the Effects of Hypoglycemia on Neuronal and Glial Cell Function Requested

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International request applications for research on the effects of hypoglycemia on the function of neuronal and glial cells of the developing and mature central nervous system.* The purposes of this request for applications (RFA) are to solicit basic studies to define the effect of varying glycemic levels on cerebral metabolism, transport of glucose across the blood-brain barrier, and astrocytic regulation of substrates for neuronal metabolism, and to determine pathological consequences of acute and recurrent hypoglycemic insult on cells of the central nervous system. Examples of potential areas of research include studies to: evaluate the role of glial-derived alternative fuels in the maintenance of neuronal and glial function; examine cellular physiological alterations in response to hypoglycemia; determine the role of astrocytic glycogen in maintaining neuronal function and survival during hypoglycemia; elucidate the effects of hypoglycemia on mechanisms regulating astrocytic uptake of glutamate; assess the extent and mechanism of CNS damage during acute or recurrent hypoglycemia, and to determine whether sensitivity to hypoglycemia varies with age; and determine whether there is a therapeutic window during which hypoglycemia-induced CNS damage can be ameliorated or reversed. Also encouraged are studies on the relationship between the astrocyte pentose phosphate pathway, oxidative stress, and brain injury during glucose deprivation; interactions between astrocytes and other cell types such as oligodendrocytes and their relationship to brain injury during hypoglycemia; and potential agents that could be used to mitigate hypoglycemia-induced neuronal damage. APPLICATION RECEIPT DATE: March 15, 2002. For more information, potential applicants should contact Dr. Toby Behar, Program Director, Neural Environment Cluster, NINDS, Neuroscience Center, 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 2114A, Bethesda, MD 20892; telephone: (301) 496-1431; fax: (301) 480-2424; e-mail: tb72z@nih.gov.

*For a more detailed description of this RFA, please visit the NIH web site at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-NS-02-008.html.