The Janus Face of Insulin in Brain

Ana I Duarte , Emanuel Candeias, Sónia C Correia, Renato X. Santos, Cristina Carvalho, Susana Cardoso, Ana I Plácido, Maria Sancha Santos, Catarina R Oliveira, Paula Isabel da Silva Moreira

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Important studies recently reported that insulin exerts a neuroprotective effect and that decreased brain insulin levels and/or insulin and its receptors (IR)‐mediated signaling are linked to several age‐related neurodegenerative diseases. These findings were further potentiated by the recent hypothesis that insulin may constitute the potential missing link between diabetes and Alzheimer disease (AD) in the central nervous system (CNS), resulting in AD being called “type 3 diabetes.” In this regard, insulin could be a very promising therapy against diabetes‐ and age‐related neurodegenerative diseases. However, some studies (including longevity ones) have given controversial results on the beneficial effects of CNS insulin/IR activity. Herewith, the authors aim to critically analyze the pros and cons of insulin in the CNS, especially regarding age‐ and diabetes‐related neurodegeneration.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMetabolic Syndrome and Neurological Disorders
EditorsTahira Farooqui, Akhlaq A. Farooqui
PublisherJohn Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Chapter5
Pages85-113
Number of pages29
ISBN (Electronic)9781118395318
ISBN (Print)9781118395271
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Nov 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Alzheimer disease (AD)
  • brain
  • central nervous system (CNS)
  • diabetes
  • insulin
  • neurodegeneration

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