Abstract

Although several possible mechanisms exist by which the pancreatic hormone, insulin, could enter the brain from the blood, most evidence suggests that the majority of it enters primarily by a receptor-mediated transport process. Many factors influence the rate of entry, including fasting and refeeding and several pathological conditions. Within the brain insulin acts on specific receptors to influence a number of behaviors, and especially caloric homeostasis and cognition.

Keywords: Insulin, Blood-Brain Barrier, homeostasis