Diabetes, Insulin and Alzheimer's Disease : Springer : 9783642262814 : 3642262813 : 04 May 2012 : The central nervous system controls vital functions by ef?ciently coordinating peripheral and central cascades of signals and networks in an orchestrated manner. Historically, the brain was considered to be insulin independent. These earlier views have been challenged by ?ndings demonstrating that insulin exerts multiple actions in the brain, regulating vital biological processes such as life span, neuronal survival, cognition, reproduction, feeding behavior, energy balance, and glucose and fat metabolism, and that inef?cient central action of insulin contributes to the development of severe pathologies (Banks et al. 2000; Gerozissis 2003, 2004, 2008; Lustman and Clouse 2005; Okamoto et al. 2001; Park 2002; Perrin et al. 2004; Pocai et al. 2005; Reger et al. 2008; Schwartz and Porte, 2005; Schubert et al. 2004; van der Heide et al. 2005; Woods et al. 1979; Wrighten et al. 2008). Insulin an