Neuronal Insulin Receptor Signaling: A Potential Target for the Treatment of Cognitive and Mood Disorders

Insulin is mainly known for its peripheral effects on the metabolism of glucose, fats, and proteins. Following the discovery of insulin by Banting and Best in 1921, major research works focused on the role of insulin in the peripheral tissues (liver, muscle and adipo‐ cytes) in regulating glucose homeostasis. During the last two decades, evidence has accu‐ mulated that insulin also exerts important actions within the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS). Although neurons are not insulin-depend‐ ent, they are insulin-responsive (Benedict et al., 2004, 2011; de la Monte 2009, 2012; Lar‐ on 2009; Stockhorst et al., 2004; van der Heide et al., 2006).