title: Neuroprotective and anti-ageing role of leptin.
abstract: Leptin (Lep), an adipose-derived hormone, exerts very important functions in the body mainly on energy storage and availability. The physiological effects of Lep controlling the body weight and suppressing appetite are mediated by the long form of Lep receptor in the hypothalamus. Lep receptor activates several downstream molecules involved in key pathways related to cell survival such as STAT3, PI3K, MAPK, AMPK, CDK5 and GSK3β. Collectively, these pathways act in a coordinated manner and form a network that is fully involved in Lep physiological response. Although the major interest in Lep is related to its role in the regulation of energy balance, and since resistance to Lep affects is the primary risk factor for obesity, the interest on their effects on brain cognition and neuroprotection is increasing. Thus, Lep and Lep mimetic compounds now await and deserve systematic exploration as the orchestrator of protective responses in the nervous system. Moreover, Lep might promote the activation of a cognitive process that may retard or even partially reverse selected aspects of Alzheimer's disease or ageing memory loss.
authors.affiliation: Unitat de Farmacologia i Farmacognòsia, Institut de Biomedicina, Centros de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Universitat de Barcelona, Nucli Universitari de Pedralbes, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Jaume
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Folch
authors.forename: Ignacio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pedrós
authors.forename: Iván
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Patraca
authors.forename: Francesc
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sureda
authors.forename: Fèlix
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Junyent
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Beas-Zarate
authors.forename: Ester
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Verdaguer
authors.forename: Mercè
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pallàs
authors.forename: Carme
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Auladell
authors.forename: Antoni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Camins
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism; D020738:Leptin / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological; D054411:Receptors, Leptin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D020738:Leptin; D054411:Receptors, Leptin