Insulin and insulin receptors in rodent brain

While insulin effects on the central nervous system (CNS) mediated through hypoglycaemia are well known, direct insulin effects on the CNS remain controversial. Recently, we found insulin receptors in all areas of the rat brain, with highest concentrations in the olfactory bulb, cerebral cortex and hypothalamus; all areas involved in feeding. Insulin receptors in brain were, by multiple criteria, similar to insulin receptors on classical target tissues for insulin, such as liver and fat. Insulin itself has been identified in the rat brain at concentrations on average ten times higher than in plasma. Highest concentrations were found in the olfactory bulb and hypothalamus. Brain insulin was indistinguishable from purified insulin by its behaviour in the radioimmunoassay, radioreceptor assay, bioassay and gel chromatography. In two experimental models representing extremes of plasma insulin concentrations (obese hyperinsulinaemic mice and diabetic insulinopenic rats) there were no significant changes in the concentration of insulin receptors in brain while liver receptors were modified in the expected way. This may reflect the protective influence of the blood-brain barrier or some special quality of brain insulin receptors. Insulin concentrations in brain were also unchanged in both models, which is probably indicative of the local synthesis of insulin. The role of insulin in the CNS is unknown. Besides well known metabolic actions of insulin, new roles can be postulated such as neurotransmission, neuromodulation and paracrine signalling.