[Effects of insulin on the diseases of central nervous system]

There are increasing experimental evidence and clinical data showing that insulin plays an important role in the CNS. Insulin can be found at high level in the brain of some animals. Insulin receptors and insulin-second messengers systems are present in neurons and glial cells. The pathogenesis of some neurological diseases is related with insulin level or insulin sensitivity. Insulin-like growth factors also have a modulatory role in neuronal function. Insulin and neurotrophic factors including insulin-like factors have generated considerable excitement for their potential as therapy for a wide variety of degenerative neurological disorders, for which there is currently no treatment.