title: Leptin regulation of hippocampal synaptic function in health and disease.
abstract: The endocrine hormone leptin plays a key role in regulating food intake and body weight via its actions in the hypothalamus. However, leptin receptors are highly expressed in many extra-hypothalamic brain regions and evidence is growing that leptin influences many central processes including cognition. Indeed, recent studies indicate that leptin is a potential cognitive enhancer as it markedly facilitates the cellular events underlying hippocampal-dependent learning and memory, including effects on glutamate receptor trafficking, neuronal morphology and activity-dependent synaptic plasticity. However, the ability of leptin to regulate hippocampal synaptic function markedly declines with age and aberrant leptin function has been linked to neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, we review the evidence supporting a cognitive enhancing role for the hormone leptin and discuss the therapeutic potential of using leptin-based agents to treat AD.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neuroscience, Medical Research Institute, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, , Dundee DD1 9SY, UK.
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Irving
authors.forename: Jenni
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Harvey
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D056547:CA1 Region, Hippocampal / Q000502:physiology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D017774:Long-Term Potentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D008840:Microfilament Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008959:Models, Neurological; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000378:metabolism; D018091:Receptors, AMPA / Q000378:metabolism; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*; D000070876:Tensins
chemical_list: D020738:Leptin; D008840:Microfilament Proteins; D021122:Protein Subunits; D018091:Receptors, AMPA; D000070876:Tensins; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases
keywords: AMPA receptor trafficking; Alzheimer's disease; hippocampus; leptin; long-term potentiation; synaptic plasticity