Diabetes and cognitive decline: are steroids the missing link?
Although elevated cortisol levels may be found in diabetes, cortisol's role in diabetes-associated cognitive impairment is unclear. A recent study (Stranahan et al., 2008) shows that reducing glucocorticoid levels in rodent diabetes models prevents cognitive deficits and enhances neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity. The clinical relevance of these intriguing findings remains undetermined.
MacLullich
Alasdair M J
AM
Endocrinology Unit, Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. a.maclullich@ed.ac.uk
Seckl
Jonathan R
JR
D000818:Animals; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000378:metabolism; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D051381:Rats
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003345:Corticosterone