Associations between Prolactin, Diabetes, and Cognitive Impairment: A Literature Review.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Converging evidence indicates prolactin (PRL) and diabetes play an important role in the pathophysiology of cognitive impairment. However, little is known about the mechanisms responsible for the effects of PRL and diabetes on cognitive impairment. SUMMARY: We summarize and review the available literature and current knowledge of the association between PRL and diabetes on aspects of cognitive impairment. KEY MESSAGES The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B pathway is central to the molecular mechanisms underlying how PRL and diabetes interact in cognitive impairment. Further work is needed to identify the interaction between PRL and diabetes, especially in the molecular aspects of cognitive impairment, which can suggest novel strategies for cognitive dysfunction treatment.