Glucagon-Like Peptide-1, Diabetes, and Cognitive Decline : Possible Pathophysiological Links and Therapeutic Opportunities

Abstract EN

Metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders have a growing prevalence in Western countries.

Available epidemiologic and neurobiological evidences support the existence of a pathophysiological link between these conditions.

Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), whose activity is reduced in insulin resistance, has been implicated in central nervous system function, including cognition, synaptic plasticity, and neurogenesis.

We review the experimental researches suggesting that GLP-1 dysfunction might be a mediating factor between Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and neurodegeneration.

Drug treatments enhancing GLP-1 activity hold out hope for treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and cognitive decline.