Maggie shares her path to diagnosis and experience with PBH
PBH is estimated to affect approximately 8% of people in the U.S. who have undergone the two most common types of bariatric surgery, sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (approximately 160,000 people in the U.S.).1
PBH is a rare and chronic metabolic condition that can develop 1-3 years or more following bariatric surgery.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is normally released after a meal and causes the release of insulin from the pancreas. One benefit of bariatric surgery is an increase in GLP-1 after meals, which helps improve blood sugar metabolism.
In PBH, however, the body overshoots and produces too much GLP-1 after eating, which drives excessive insulin release and leads to sharp drops in blood sugar, or hypoglycemic events.
These events can cause cognitive impairment, loss of consciousness, and even seizures because the brain isn’t getting enough glucose, known as neuroglycopenia. In one study, over 90% of people with PBH described themselves as living with a disability, characterizing the burden the condition can have on daily living.
There are currently no FDA-approved therapies for PBH.
We’re tackling some of medicine’s toughest problems to serve communities with high unmet needs. To accomplish this, we are advancing a pipeline in which we’ve matched investigational therapies with diseases in which they can make the greatest impact.
To stay up to date on Amylyx corporate updates, join our email list.