Insulin resistance and neurodegenerative diseases

Abstract

Insulin resistance is a condition where normal or elevated insulin levels fail to elicit the expected biological response, with significant implications for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Despite extensive research, the precise cellular mechanisms driving insulin resistance and its role in neurodegeneration remain elusive. Insights into insulin signaling dysregulation, amyloid-beta accumulation, neuroinflammation, and impaired mitochondrial function shed light on the complex interplay between insulin resistance and neurodegeneration. Various therapeutic strategies targeting insulin resistance, including insulin interventions, GLP-1 analogs, intranasal insulin, and lifestyle interventions, offer promising avenues for mitigating disease progression. This review provides a comprehensive overview of insulin resistance and its association with neurodegenerative disorders, highlighting key molecular and cellular insights, therapeutic approaches, and future directions.