title: Growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-1 and the aging brain.
abstract: Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 regulate the development and function of cells throughout the body. Several clinical diseases that result in a decline in physical and mental functions are marked by mutations that disrupt GH or IGF-1 signaling. During the lifespan there is a robust decrease in both GH and IGF-1. Because GH and IGF-1 are master regulators of cellular function, impaired GH and IGF-1 signaling in aging/disease states leads to significant alterations in tissue structure and function, especially within the brain. This review is intended to highlight the effects of the GH and IGF-1 on neuronal structure, function, and plasticity. Furthermore, we address several potential mechanisms through which the age-related reductions in GH and IGF-1 affect cognition. Together, the studies reviewed here highlight the importance of maintaining GH and IGF-1 signaling in order to sustain proper brain function throughout the lifespan.
authors.affiliation: Reynolds Oklahoma Center on Aging, Donald W. Reynolds Department of Geriatric Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 975 NE 10th Street, SLY-BRC 1303, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, United States.
authors.forename: Nicole M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Ashpole
authors.affiliation: Reynolds Oklahoma Center on Aging, Donald W. Reynolds Department of Geriatric Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 975 NE 10th Street, SLY-BRC 1303, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, United States.
authors.forename: Jessica E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Sanders
authors.affiliation: Reynolds Oklahoma Center on Aging, Donald W. Reynolds Department of Geriatric Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 975 NE 10th Street, SLY-BRC 1303, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, United States.
authors.forename: Erik L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Hodges
authors.affiliation: Reynolds Oklahoma Center on Aging, Donald W. Reynolds Department of Geriatric Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 975 NE 10th Street, SLY-BRC 1303, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, United States.
authors.forename: Han
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.affiliation: Reynolds Oklahoma Center on Aging, Donald W. Reynolds Department of Geriatric Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 975 NE 10th Street, SLY-BRC 1303, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, United States. Electronic address: william-sonntag@ouhsc.edu.
authors.forename: William E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Sonntag
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000172:deficiency / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D013006:Growth Hormone
keywords: Aging; Brain; GH; IGF-1; Neuroendocrine