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Updated: Nov 4, 2025
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Studying the Hypothalamic Insulin Signal to Peripheral Glucose Intolerance with a Continuous Drug Infusion System into the Mouse Brain
Published on: January 4, 2018
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Insulin action in the brain regulates both central and peripheral functions
Rahul Agrawal1, Candace M Reno1, Sunny Sharma1
1Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Summary
Insulin plays a crucial role in brain function, regulating feeding, mood, and cognition. Impaired brain insulin action is linked to metabolic and cognitive diseases like Alzheimer's and type 2 diabetes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Health
Background:
- Traditionally, the brain was considered insulin-insensitive due to lack of glucose uptake stimulation.
- Recent research reveals unique and critical roles for insulin within the central nervous system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent findings on insulin's diverse actions in the brain.
- To highlight the specific cellular and regional mechanisms of brain insulin signaling.
- To explore the therapeutic potential of enhancing brain insulin action.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent scientific findings.
- Analysis of evidence for insulin transport into the brain.
- Examination of cellular and neuronal pathways involved in brain insulin action.
Main Results:
- Insulin regulates key central nervous system functions including feeding, mood, and cognition.
- Insulin in the brain also controls systemic functions like glucose production and lipolysis.
- Brain insulin resistance is associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, aging, and Alzheimer's disease.
Conclusions:
- Insulin has pleiotropic effects in the brain, impacting both neural and systemic functions.
- Deficits in brain insulin signaling are implicated in metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases.
- Augmenting brain insulin action may offer a therapeutic strategy for cognitive and metabolic disorders.
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