Thinking about brain insulin resistance.

Introduction: Dementia and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are two of the epidemics of our time; in which insulin resistance (IR) is playing the central role. Epidemiological studies found that different types of dementia development may be promoted by the presence of T2DM.

Objectives: We aimed in this review to highlight the role of insulin and the IR in the brain as a pathophysiological factor of dementia development and also to expand our understanding of T2DM as a mediator of IR in the brain and to review the possible mechanisms of action that may explain the association.

Methodology: A critical review of the relevant published English articles up to 2018, using PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, ADI, and WHO database was carried out. Keywords were included insulin resistance, T3DM, T2DM, dementia, brain insulin resistance were used.

Conclusion: The rapidly increased prevalence of dementia concurrently with T2DM and obesity need urgent action to illustrate guidelines for prevention, modifying, and treatment based on mechanistic studies.