Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 19, 2026

Imaging Calcium Dynamics in Subpopulations of Mouse Pancreatic Islet Cells
Published on: November 26, 2019
Neurofunctional imaging of β-cell dynamics
1Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, The Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center and Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA. peh1@columbia.edu
Abstract:
Here, we outline how islet cells use autocrine and paracrine 'circuits' of classical neurotransmitters and their corresponding receptors and transporters to communicate with vicinal β-cells to regulate glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Many of these same circuits operate in the central nervous system and can be visualized by molecular imaging. We discuss how these techniques might be applied to measuring the dynamics of β-cell function in real time.
Related Concept Videos
Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion
Insulin and C-peptide are co-secreted in...
Brain Imaging
These technologies include computerized axial tomography (CAT or CT scans), positron-emission tomography (PET scans), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).

