Increased GABAergic Tone in the Ventromedial Hypothalamus Contributes to Suppression of Counterregulatory Reponses After Antecedent Hypoglycemia

Abstract

Our data suggest that recurrent hypoglycemia increases GABAergic inhibitory tone in the VMH and that this, in turn, suppresses glucagon and sympathoadrenal responses to subsequent bouts of acute hypoglycemia. Thus, hypoglycemia-associated autonomic failure may be due in part to a relative excess of the inhibitory neurotransmitter, GABA, within the VMH.