A Pancreatic Player in Dementia: Pathological Role for Islet Amyloid Polypeptide Accumulation in the Brain

Authors

Angelina S Bortoletto
Ronald J Parchem

Publication Date

10-1-2023

Journal

Neural Regeneration Research

DOI

10.4103/1673-5374.369095

PMID

37056121

PMCID

PMC10328265

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

3-3-2023

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-Print

Published Open-Access

yes

Keywords

Alzheimer’s disease, amylin, amyloid, dementia, diabetes, human islet amyloid polypeptide, islet amyloid polypeptide, protofibrils, type 2 diabetes mellitus, vascular dementia

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients have a markedly higher risk of developing dementia. While multiple factors contribute to this predisposition, one of these involves the increased secretion of amylin, or islet amyloid polypeptide, that accompanies the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Islet amyloid polypeptide accumulation has undoubtedly been implicated in various forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, but the exact mechanisms underlying islet amyloid polypeptide’s causative role in dementia are unclear. In this review, we have summarized the literature supporting the various mechanisms by which islet amyloid polypeptide accumulation may cause neuronal damage, ultimately leading to the clinical symptoms of dementia. We discuss the evidence for islet amyloid polypeptide deposition in the brain, islet amyloid polypeptide interaction with other amyloids implicated in neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation caused by islet amyloid polypeptide deposition, vascular damage induced by islet amyloid polypeptide accumulation, and islet amyloid polypeptide-induced cytotoxicity. There are very few therapies approved for the treatment of dementia, and of these, clinical responses have been controversial at best. Therefore, investigating new, targetable pathways is vital for identifying novel therapeutic strategies for treating dementia. As such, we conclude this review by discussing islet amyloid polypeptide accumulation as a potential therapeutic target not only in treating type 2 diabetes mellitus but as a future target in treating or even preventing dementia associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Comments

Associated Data