AUTHOR=Chen Qian , Cao Ting , Li NaNa , Zeng Cuirong , Zhang Shuangyang , Wu Xiangxin , Zhang Bikui , Cai Hualin TITLE=Repurposing of Anti-Diabetic Agents as a New Opportunity to Alleviate Cognitive Impairment in Neurodegenerative and Neuropsychiatric Disorders JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pharmacology VOLUME=12 YEAR=2021 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2021.667874 DOI=10.3389/fphar.2021.667874 ISSN=1663-9812 ABSTRACT=

Cognitive impairment is a shared abnormality between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and many neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and schizophrenia. Emerging evidence suggests that brain insulin resistance plays a significant role in cognitive deficits, which provides the possibility of anti-diabetic agents repositioning to alleviate cognitive deficits. Both preclinical and clinical studies have evaluated the potential cognitive enhancement effects of anti-diabetic agents targeting the insulin pathway. Repurposing of anti-diabetic agents is considered to be promising for cognitive deficits prevention or control in these neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. This article reviewed the possible relationship between brain insulin resistance and cognitive deficits. In addition, promising therapeutic interventions, especially current advances in anti-diabetic agents targeting the insulin pathway to alleviate cognitive impairment in AD and schizophrenia were also summarized.