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Updated: May 22, 2025

Studying the Hypothalamic Insulin Signal to Peripheral Glucose Intolerance with a Continuous Drug Infusion System into the Mouse Brain
Published on: January 4, 2018
Expanding the understanding of insulin resistance in brain and periphery
Wenqiang Chen1, Stephanie Kullmann2, Elizabeth M Rhea3
1Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Clinical and Translational Research, Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark.
Abstract:
Insulin resistance is a central feature of metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes (T2D). While studies on this disorder have largely been linked to glucose metabolism and intracellular signaling, recent advances reveal that insulin resistance extends beyond traditional glucose regulatory pathways, impacting multiple organs including the brain, contributing to cognitive dysfunction and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). This opinion revisits insulin resistance through molecular, cellular, and systemic perspectives, emphasizing the intersection between peripheral and brain insulin resistance (BIR), the role of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and emerging biomarkers. Furthermore, we integrate insights from multi-omics and neuroimaging studies to refine our understanding, advocating for a broader perspective that informs early detection and intervention in metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases.
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