A Link Between Brain Insulin Resistance and Cognitive Dysfunctions: Targeting Ca2+/cAMP Signalling.

BACKGROUND

A correlation between cognitive dysfunctions and brain insulin resistance has been established by several clinical and experimental studies. Consistent data support that people diagnosed with brain insulin resistance, resulted from diabetes, have shown an increased risk of presenting cognitive dysfunctions, clinical signs of dementia and depression, then speculating a role of dysregulations related to insulin signalling in these diseases. Furthermore, it is currently discussed that Ca2+ signalling, and its dysregulations, may be a factor which could correlate with brain insulin resistance and cognitive dysfunctions.

OBJECTIVE

Following this, revealing this interplay between these diseases may provide novel insights into the pathogenesis of such diseases.

METHODS

Publications covering topics such as Ca2+ signalling, diabetes, depression and dementia (alone or combined) were collected by searching PubMed and EMBASE.

RESULTS

The controlling of both neurotransmitters/hormones release and neuronal death could be achieved through modulating Ca2+ and cAMP signalling pathways (Ca2+/cAMP signalling).

CONCLUSION

Taking into account our previous reports on Ca2+/cAMP signalling, and considering a limited discussion in the literature on the role of Ca2+/cAMP signalling in the link between cognitive dysfunctions and brain insulin resistance, this article has comprehensively discussed the role of these signalling pathways in this link (between cognitive dysfunctions and brain insulin resistance).