Leptin prevents hippocampal synaptic disruption and neuronal cell death induced by amyloid β

Accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ1-42) is a key event mediating the cognitive deficits in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) as Aβ promotes synaptic dysfunction and triggers neuronal death. Recent evidence has linked the hormone leptin to AD as leptin levels are markedly attenuated in AD patients. Leptin is also a potential cognitive enhancer as it facilitates the cellular events underlying hippocampal learning and memory. Here we show that leptin prevents the detrimental effects of Aβ1-42on hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP). Moreover leptin inhibits Aβ1-42-driven facilitation of long-term depression (LTD) and internalization of the AMPA receptor subunit, GluR1, via activation of PI3-kinase. Leptin also protects cortical neurons from Aβ1-42-induced cell deathby a STAT-3-dependent mechanism. Furthermore, leptin inhibits Aβ1-42-mediated upregulation of endophilin I and phosphorylated tau (p-tau) in vitro, whereas cortical levels of endophilin I and p-tau are enhanced in leptin-insensitive Zucker fa/fa rats. Thus leptin benefits the functional characteristics and viability of neurons that degenerate in AD. These novel findings establish that the leptin system is an important therapeutic target in neurodegenerative conditions.