Role of the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and its receptor in the central nervous system: therapeutic potential in neurological diseases

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) is a 42-amino acid hormone, secreted from the enteroendocrine K cells, which has insulin-releasing and extra-pancreatic actions. GIP and its receptor present a widespread distribution in the mammalian brain where they have been implicated with synaptic plasticity, neurogenesis, neuroprotection and behavioral alterations. This review attempts to provide a comprehensive picture of the role of GIP in the central nervous system and to highlight recent findings from our group showing its potential involvement in neurological illnesses including epilepsies, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. Behavioural Pharmacology 21:394-408 (C) 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health vertical bar Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.