Title:Defective Insulin Signalling, Mediated by Inflammation, Connects Obesity to Alzheimer Disease; Relevant Pharmacological Therapies and Preventive Dietary Interventions
Volume: 14
Issue: 8
Author(s): Arantxa Rodriguez-Casado*, Adolfo Toledano-Díaz and Adolfo Toledano
Affiliation:
- Instituto Cajal, CSIC Madrid,Spain
Keywords:
Obesity, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes type 2, insulin resistance, prevention, diet, nutrition, nutraceuticals.
Abstract: Background: Recent evidence suggests that obesity, besides being a risk factor for cardiovascular
events, also increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Insulin resistance is common in all cases of
obesity and appears to be the linkage between both diseases. Obesity, often associated with excessive fat
and sugar intake, represents a preclinical stage toward insulin resistance during which nutrition intervention
is likely to have maximum effect.
Objective: In this way, healthy lifestyles lifetime to prevent obesity-related modifiable risk factors such
as inflammation, oxidative stress and metabolic disorders could be simultaneously beneficial for preserving
cognition and controlling the Alzheimer’s disease.
Method: This review relates extensive research literature on facts linking nutrients and dietary patterns
to obesity and Alzheimer’s disease. In addition briefly presents molecular mechanisms involved in obesity-
induced insulin resistance and the contribution of peripheral inflammatory and defective insulin signalling
pathways, as well as ectopic lipids accumulation to Alzheimer’s development through brain inflammation,
neuronal insulin resistance, and cognitive dysfunction seen in Alzheimer’s disease.
Results: The work relates current and emerging pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies for
the management of obesity, insulin resistance and Alzheimer’s considering them as disorders with
common molecular features.
Conclusion: The findings of this review validate the importance of some nutritional interventions as
possible approach to prevent or delay simultaneously progression of Alzheimer’s disease and obesity.