[FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY OF THE BRAIN INSULIN SIGNALING SYS TEM IN NORM AND IN TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS]

The insulin signaling system of the brain has a key role in the regulation of fundamental cell processes in neurons and controls metabolic processes in the CNS and periphery. In hypothalamic neurons insulin signaling system interacts closely with the other signaling systems regulated by leptin, melanocortin peptides, dopamine, serotonin, and is the key component of the hypothalamic signaling network, which integrates and transforms the central and peripheral signals. The disturbances in the brain insulin system lead to central insulin resistance, which is one of the primary causes of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), metabolic syndrome and Alzheimer's disease. The early restoration of the functions of this system provides an effective approach to prevent and treat type 2 DM and neurodegenerative diseases associated to it. In this review the literature data and own results on structural functional organization of the brain insulin signaling system, causes and functional consequences of central insulin resistance, abnormalities of insulin signaling in the CNS and approaches to its restoration in type 2 DM are analyzed and discussed.