Insulin-like hormones critical for brain plasticity (IMAGE)

Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience

Insulin-like hormones critical for brain plasticity

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Insulin-like growth factors (IGF1/IGF2-cyan spheres) are released from the postsynaptic compartment of a synapse during plasticity. To understand how IGF1 and IGF2 promote memory formation, Tu et al. developed a biosensor to detect the activity of the IGF1-receptor during synaptic plasticity, the cellular process that strengthens connections between neurons during learning. They discovered a region-specific, autocrine signaling mechanism in the hippocampus that promotes synapse growth and strength. Disrupting IGF signaling impaired plasticity, highlighting the critical role of the insulin superfamily in maintaining cognitive health. Credit: Ella Maru

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Illustration by Ella Maru Studios

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