More than just a treatment: Insulin

What is insulin?
Insulin is almost always associated with diabetes as a treatment, but is that really the only function? Insulin is a hormone that is made in the pancreas and one of its more known functions is that it helps moves  glucose from the blood to the cell during times when energy is needed. But believe it or not this is not the only function, insulin has also been associated with memory, plasticity and then eventually Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
Insulins and memory?
Nobody wants to loose their memory or have to deal with the consequences of AD and surprisingly insulin has an effect on memory. Insulin in studies has shown to have a positive effect on memory when all of the receptors and pathways are working properly in humans. But when either the receptors or pathways are being blocked there has been evidence that shows that memory as a whole is diminished. Researchers believe that in humans who have an insulin deficiency that it causes a the body to trigger the retraction of dendrites and a decrease in NMDA transmission of hippocampal neurons. In simpler terms this means that part of the neurons (dendrites) that are responsible for receiving signals from other neurons are being retracted and resulting transmissions being lost.The other part the story that is going on is the decrease in transmission of a receptor (NMDA), which is responsible for the control of channels that help neurons send and receive signals. Also keep in my that this is all happening in the part of the brain that is in charge of consolidating information from short-term memory to long term memory.
Importance?
The reason that insulin’s role in memory and plasticity is being more relevant is because of the rise of the diabetes epidemic. With diabetes that means there is also going to be a rise in people who are deficient in insulin. Because of this more people could have memory problems and this could also lead to more people developing AD. What has not be discovered is if diabetes will lead to early onset AD or just significantly increase the chances but either way insulin is playing a major role. Fighting and stoping the diabetes epidemic may develop into a fight against AD in later life because of insulin and this is why we should care.
Personally I’m going to continue to be aware of my weight and the potential of developing diabetes in the short term to hopefully lower chances of developing AD in the long term. But as for the rest of society a lot needs to be changed. First, there needs to be a stronger connection between the two diseases and national campaigns need to begin. But that will be easier said than done. With diabetes and being overweight being topic that cannot be brought up in any light, I do not see any changes happening. Secondly, I believe that the fast food market needs take a greater responsibility into healthiness of their food along with the portions. But fighting against a multi-billion dollar industry is also not easy. Lastly, I believe AD needs to become a more serious disease in the eyes of society as a whole. I think that because AD does not affect people till late in their lives and that it is not a death sentence the people sometimes forget about AD. This forgetfulness of the disease I believe is hindering an progression in finding a cure or by finding a treatment that can stop its progression. Who knowns maybe if a cure is found for AD, a cure an be found for diabetes or vice versa because of the connection through insulin.