Inositol improves cognition in femalesApoE2 affects insulin signaling in the hippocampus and spatial cognition of aged mice in a sex-dependent manner.
Our investigation focuses on the role of inositol supplementation in enhancing cognitive function in mice, particularly in the context of the ApoE2 genetic background, which is thought to provide some protective effects against Alzheimer's disease.
We discovered that aged female mice carrying the ApoE2 genotype exhibited a decline in spatial cognitive abilities compared to their ApoE3 counterparts. This decline was linked to impaired insulin signaling within the hippocampus, a brain region crucial for memory and learning.
Upon looking closer, we found that the ApoE2 females had lower levels of inositol, a compound that plays a role in insulin signaling. Encouragingly, when these mice received inositol supplementation, we observed improvements in insulin signaling, better glucose tolerance, and enhanced cognitive functions.
Interestingly, we did not find similar effects in male mice, highlighting that the benefits of inositol may be sex-specific, particularly for aged females. This research adds an intriguing chapter to our understanding of how certain genetic factors interact with metabolic processes to influence cognitive health, pointing to inositol as a potential avenue for therapeutic intervention.