Research

Hormonal

Obesity-associated leptin resistance, driven by impaired BBB transport and intracellular signaling inhibition (PTP1B/SOCS3), contributes to cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease pathology by disrupting synaptic plasticity and memory formation.

For those with obesity or aging-related cognitive concerns, addressing metabolic health is critical for brain health. The paper suggests that the failure of leptin signaling (leptin resistance) is a key driver of cognitive decline, not just high leptin levels. Interventions that improve metabolic health may help restore leptin sensitivity and protect against cognitive decline.

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Decreased leptin signaling in the CNS may be related to defective leptin transport across BBB, LepR downregulation and/or deficient leptin signaling downstream LepRs... impaired brain leptin signaling may play a role in AD pathophysiology
Letícia Forny‐Germano et al. · Frontiers in Neuroscience · 2019

Why this rating

The paper is a review citing multiple human and animal studies, but notes controversial findings regarding leptin levels in AD patients.

Source

The Role of Leptin and Adiponectin in Obesity-Associated Cognitive Decline and Alzheimer’s Disease

Letícia Forny‐Germano et al. · Frontiers in Neuroscience · 2019

DOI 10.3389/fnins.2018.01027

narrative_reviewCited 283×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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