Repurposing of Anti-Diabetic Agents as a New Opportunity to Alleviate Cognitive Impairment in Neurodegenerative and Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Qian Chen; Ting Cao; NaNa Li; Cuirong Zeng; Shuangyang Zhang; Xiangxin Wu; Bikui Zhang; Hualin Cai

doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.667874

Repurposing of Anti-Diabetic Agents as a New Opportunity to Alleviate Cognitive Impairment in Neurodegenerative and Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Front Pharmacol. 2021 May 24:12:667874. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2021.667874. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Qian Chen^{1

2}, Ting Cao^{1

2}, NaNa Li^{1

2}, Cuirong Zeng^{1

2}, Shuangyang Zhang^{1

2}, Xiangxin Wu^{1

2}, Bikui Zhang^{1

2}, Hualin Cai^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
² Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, Central South University, Changsha, China.

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.

Keywords: alzheimer's disease; anti-diabetic agents; brain insulin resistance; cognitive deficits; schizophrenia; type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Publication types

Review