Role of Insulin in Brain: An Emphasis on Molecular Functions

Abstract

Insulin signaling in brain has emerged as a recent field of research since decreased brain insulin levels were linked to impaired learning, memory, and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease. Brain insulin has a pivotal role in regulating glucose metabolism, memory, learning, neuron formation, and to be neuroprotective through a cascade of cellular signaling process. In addition, insulin may serve as a promising therapy against diabetes and neurodegeneration conditions. Interestingly, insulin has been also faced as the potential missing link between neurodegenerative disorders and diabetes. Therefore, this review aims to untangle the complex interactions among aging and diabetes which allow the development of more effective therapeutic strategies to conquer neurodegenerative condition as well as diabetes.