Evaluation of neuroprotective effect of glucagon-like peptide 1 analogs using neuroimaging

Alzheimers Dement. 2014 Feb;10(1 Suppl):S55-61. doi: 10.1016/j.jalz.2013.12.012.

Abstract

There is increasing evidence to suggest that glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP1) analogs are neuroprotective in animal models. In transgenic mice, both insulin and GLP1 analogs reduced inflammation, increased stem cell proliferation, reduced apoptosis, and increased dendritic growth. Furthermore, insulin desensitization was also observed in these animals, and reduced glucose uptake in the brain, as shown on FDG-PET imaging. In this review we discussed the role of PET and MRI in evaluating the effect of GLP1 analogs in disease progression in both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. We have also discussed the potential novel PET markers that will allow us to understand the mechanism by which GLP1 exerts its effects.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Amyloid imaging; FDG-PET; Glucagon-like peptide 1; Liraglutide; MRI; Neuroimaging; Neuroinflammation; Parkinson's disease.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Brain / pathology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / analogs & derivatives*
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / genetics
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / pathology
  • Neuroimaging*
  • Neuroprotective Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Radionuclide Imaging

Substances

  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1