Thread by @KetoCounselor

Insulin receptors and IGF-1 receptors, along with their signaling partners, are found throughout the brain. I think this needs a thread. 🧵(1/13)

IGF-1 receptors are involved in important #brain processes, including neuronal growth and survival, regulation of synaptic plasticity, and modulation of #neurotransmitter release. They are implicated in neuroprotection and #cognitive function. (2/13) #science #neuroscience

Many of you are familiar with insulin, but maybe you don't know well enough what its important roles are in the brain. Insulin affects neurotransmitter channel activity, brain cholesterol synthesis, and mitochondrial function. (3/13) #mitochondria

Disrupting insulin action in the brain can impair the growth and development of connections between neurons, which is known as brain plasticity. (4/13)

Insulin signaling also plays a role in the phosphorylation of tau protein, which is an early component in the development of Alzheimer's disease. (5/13)

Alterations in #insulin action in the brain can contribute to the development of #mood disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. (6/13)

It's worth noting that glucose utilization by the brain is not entirely insulin-dependent. However, recent studies have shown that the brain is an insulin-sensitive organ. (7/13)

So when you read conflicting information about insulin use in the brain and glucose utilization, don't let it confuse you (like it used to do to me as I was first learning). (8/13)

Understanding the role of insulin signaling in the brain is crucial for the development of treatments for #metabolic syndrome, mood disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases. (9/13) #dementia #alzheimers #neurotwitter

Luckily, we know about the ketogenic diet and all the good things it does to improve insulin sensitivity and signaling. You don't have to wait for big #pharma to pay attention to the research literature that has been out for a really long time. (10/13) #ketoformentalhealth

Don't believe me? You think #metabolicpsychiatry is just some new fangled fad? This article has been out for 9 years. (11/13) diabetesjournals.org/diabetes/artic…

How about this one that has been around since 2005? That's 18 years ago. (12/13)
doi.org/10.1016/j.tem.…

Seriously, don't let anyone tell you there isn't enough evidence to support metabolic therapies as a treatment for mental illness and neurological disorders. Ketogenic diets are an amazing metabolic therapy for the brain, and you have the right to know about them. (13/13)