title: Brain insulin signaling: a key component of cognitive processes and a potential basis for cognitive impairment in type 2 diabetes.
abstract: Understanding of the role of insulin in the brain has gradually expanded, from initial conceptions of the brain as insulin-insensitive through identification of a role in regulation of feeding, to recent demonstration of insulin as a key component of hippocampal memory processes. Conversely, systemic insulin resistance such as that seen in type 2 diabetes is associated with a range of cognitive and neural deficits. Here we review the evidence for insulin as a cognitive and neural modulator, including potential effector mechanisms, and examine the impact that type 2 diabetes has on these mechanisms in order to identify likely bases for the cognitive impairments seen in type 2 diabetic patients.
authors: Behavioral Neuroscience and Center for Neuroscience Research, University at Albany (SUNY), SS399, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12222, USA. emcnay@albany.edu
authors: Ewan C
authors: EC
authors: McNay
authors: Andrew K
authors: AK
authors: Recknagel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism*; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin