The role of the somatotropic system in cognition and other cerebral functions.
Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) receptors can be found in several areas of the brain. GH receptors are mainly found in the choroid plexus, thalamus, hypothalamus, pituitary, putamen, and hippocampus, whereas IGF-1 receptors are mainly concentrated in the hippocampus and parahippocampal areas. In early life, GH and IGF-1 have an important role in the development and differentiation of the central nervous system. In the more developed central nervous system, GH and IGF-1 are thought to have a variety of functions such as a neuroprotective function, an appetite increasing function, various cognitive functions, and perhaps a blood flow-regulating function. In GH-deficient children and adults, improvement of cognitive functions was observed after the administration of GH. Furthermore, specific cognitive functions in healthy older subjects may improve after increasing GH or IGF-1 levels.
Department of Clinical Endocrinology, University Medical Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Wouter M
WM
Creyghton
P Sytze
PS
van Dam
Hans P F
HP
Koppeschaar
D000339:Affect / Q000502:physiology; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000172:deficiency / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000502:physiology*; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000502:physiology
D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D013006:Growth Hormone