Elsevier

Brain Research

Volume 309, Issue 1, 20 August 1984, Pages 187-191
Brain Research

Insulin inhibits pyramidal neurons in hippocampal slices

https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-8993(84)91028-XGet rights and content

Abstract

Recent studies have confirmed the presence of insulin receptors in the rat brain although their function has still not been well defined. The present study explores the possibility that insulin receptors in the brain can alter or contribute to central neurotransmission. Insulin caused a dose-dependent inhibition of hippocampal pyramidal neurons. The pattern of inhibition mirrored the binding kinetics of insulin in the hippocampus. Two related peptides, proinsulin and desoctapeptide insulin, had neuronal effects consistent with their binding to insulin receptors in the brain. Proinsulin was effective in doses 30-fold greater than insulin, whereas desoctapeptide insulin had little or no effect. These observations indicate that the inhibitory effect of insulin in this tissue may be insulin receptor-mediated and support a previously suggested functional role of insulin in the central nervous system.

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This research was supported by NIH Grant HD 16722 to M.K.R. and M.S.K., NSF Grant BNS 8025969 and NIH Grant HL 27334 to M.I.P.R.A.P. is a Post Doctoral Fellow.

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The authors wish to thank Ms. Sheri Jones for typing the manuscript.

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