Endocrine Abstracts

Background: In diabetes, exposure to frequent episodes of hypoglycaemia diminishes a persons awareness of hypoglycaemia, by poorly defined mechanisms. Evidence suggests that, at least in part, changes in cell behaviour within the ventromedial hypothalamus may contribute to this defect and that changes in AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a key glucose-sensing enzyme are involved. Evidence suggests there are (mal)adaptations within neurons, however, little is known about cha...

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the most common causes of dementia world wide. Accumulation of β-amyloid (Aβ) has been implicated as a causal factor of AD. Beta secretase (BACE1) catalyses the rate limiting step in the production Aβ and has been postulated as a potential therapeutic target for AD treatment. Environmental factors, including psychological stress, accelerate the development of dementia and AD. This study examined hypothalamic–pituitary...