Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) as a marker of cognitive decline in normal ageing: A review.

Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) as a marker of cognitive decline in normal ageing: A review.
Ageing Res Rev. 2017 Dec 09;:
Authors: Frater J, Lie D, Bartlett P, McGrath JJ
Abstract
Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) and its signaling pathway play a primary role in normal growth and ageing, however serum IGF-1 is known to reduce with advancing age. Recent findings suggest IGF-1 is essential for neurogenesis in the adult brain, and this reduction of IGF-1 with ageing may contribute to age-related cognitive decline. Experimental studies have shown manipulation of the GH/GF-1 axis can slow rates of cognitive decline in animals, making IGF-1 a potential biomarker of cognition, and/or its signaling pathway a possible therapeutic target to prevent or slow age-related cognitive decline. A systematic literature review and qualitative narrative summary of current evidence for IGF-1 as a biomarker of cognitive decline in the ageing brain was undertaken. Results indicate IGF-1 concentrations do not confer additional diagnostic information for those with cognitive decline, and routine clinical measurement of IGF-1 is not currently justified. In cases of established cognitive impairment, it remains unclear whether increasing circulating or brain IGF-1 may reverse or slow down the rate of further decline. Advances in neuroimaging, genetics, neuroscience and the availability of large well characterized biobanks will facilitate research explor...

Source: Ageing Research Reviews - December 9, 2017 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Frater J, Lie D, Bartlett P, McGrath JJ Tags: Ageing Res Rev Source Type: research