A Possible Neurodegeneration Mechanism Triggered by Diabetes

Several conditions result in neurodegeneration; among which diabetes mellitus (DM) is of crucial importance. Tau (tau) malfunction is a major pathological process participating in neurodegeneration. Despite extensive considerations, the actual causative link between DM and tau abnormalities remains uncertain thus far. Phosphorylated (p)-tau at Thr-Pro motifs can exist in the two distinct cis and trans conformations. cis is neurotoxic, and is accumulated upon various stress conditions, such as nutrition depletion. We assume that pathogenic cis p-tau is the central mediator of neurodegeneration in DM, and propose why different areas give various responses to stress conditions. We herein juxtapose recent approaches in diabetic neurodegeneration and propose a therapeutic target to stop neuronal loss during DM.