The Relationship Between Insulin Resistance & Mood
THANK YOU TO THE METABOLIC HEALTH SUMMIT FOR THIS INFO!
Chronic stress and trauma not only negatively affect the neural circuits in the brain but are often comorbid with insulin resistance. The dysregulation between peripheral and central response mechanisms to stress can lead to development of mood and metabolic disorders. Did you know that 21.4% of Americans experience major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder in their lifetime and the prevalence is higher in women? In fact, both sexes experience somatic symptoms including gastrointestinal distress, heart palpitations, or insulin resistance during these psychological conditions.
The hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is a central hub that is activated in response to stress using feedback mechanisms to modulate hormone circulation and stimulate neural effects. Glucocorticoids is a liposoluble hormone secreted by the hypothalamus that affects the synthesis of neurotransmitters, neurotrophic factors, and sex hormones. Chronic exposure to glucocorticoids leads to cognitive impairment and elevated concentrations of circulating glucose. Furthermore, insulin and glucocorticoid signaling are mutually potentiating, and in an environment of chronic stress, triggers can be maladaptive.
The article linked below summarizes the relationship between the HPA axis and glucocorticoid levels in response to stress, in addition, the differences in mood disorder susceptibility in males and females. A sex difference in HPA axis response to stress is women are more susceptible to brain-based illnesses such as anxiety and depression, whereas men are more vulnerable to peripheral metabolic consequences such as hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia. The proposed difference in circuitry is thought to be because of gonadal hormones contribution to epigenetic changes in HPA axis. For example, testosterone can act to inhibit HPA function and estradiol can increase or attenuate HPA function. It has also been demonstrated that estradiol decreased glucocorticoid receptor expression.
Bottom Line
Insulin resistance can function as a chronic stressor to further dysregulate the HPA axis and increase susceptibility to mood and metabolic disorders. Medications for mood disorders to improve cognition are important; however, treatment for comorbid insulin resistance such as exercise and insulin-sensitizing medications as an adjunct therapy should be considered.
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