Objectives

The Physiology Core offers a variety of in vivo testing procedures of parameters and regulatory mechanisms of glucose tolerance under three IRB-approved master protocols for studies in humans. Specifically, the Core gives access to and trains and assists in the performance of the following procedures:

1. General Clinical Research Center studies: standard and frequently sampled oral glucose tolerance test, frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test, glucose and hormonal responses to carbohydrate-rich meals, 24-hour profiles of glucose, insulin and counterregulatory hormone levels, euglycemic hyperglycemic clamp, assessment of autonomic nervous system, assessment of pro-inflammatory markers.
2. Ambulatory assessment of parameters of human glucose tolerance, including glucose levels (Mini-Med monitoring), saliva and/or urine levels of cortisol and catecholamines, heart rate variability, rest-activity cycles, exercise duration and frequency, and self-reported hunger, appetite and alertness.
3. Assessment of sleep-wake regulation and sleep-disordered breathing, including validated questionnaires, ambulatory assessment of sleep-wake cycle, laboratory assessment of sleep and sleep disordered breathing, objective measures of sleepiness.