Insulin-like Growth Factors Linked to Brain Plasticity, Paving the Way for Alzheimer’s Research – Max Planck Study

Researchers from the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience have discovered a mechanism that links insulin-like growth factors (IGF) to brain plasticity. IGF1 and IGF2 are hormones that contribute to brain development and function, including learning and memory. The study found an autocrine mechanism in neurons, where IGF1 and IGF2 are produced and released during synaptic plasticity, promoting brain health and functionality. Disrupting this mechanism impairs plasticity, highlighting its crucial role in maintaining cognitive health. The newfound insight into this mechanism could pave the way for future research in preventing cognitive decline and diseases such as Alzheimer’s.