Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), which is often accompanied by hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, is associated with an increased risk for developing mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease (AD); however, the underlying mechanisms for this association are still unclear. Recent findings have shown that hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance can coexist or be independent events. This makes it imperative to determine the contribution of these individual conditions in impacting AD. This literature review highlights the recent developments of hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance involvement in the progression and pathogenesis of AD.
Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; amyloid plaques; hyperglycemia; hyperinsulinemia; insulin resistance; tau phosphorylation.