Does hyperglycemia downregulate glucose transporters in the brain?

Diabetes is a metabolic condition associated with hyperglycemia manifested by the elevation of blood glucose levels occurring when the pancreas decreases or stops the production of insulin, in case of insulin resistance or both. The current literature supports that insulin resistance may be responsible for the memory decline associated with diabetes. Glucose transporters (GLUTs) are a family of proteins involved in glucose transport across biological membranes. GLUT-1 and GLUT-3 are involved in glucose delivery to the brain. Evidence suggests that both transporters are downregulated in chronic peripheral hyperglycemia. Here we show the mechanisms of glucose transport and its influence on cognitive function, including a hypothesis of how peripheral hyperglycemia related genes network interactions may lead to glucose transporters downregulation and its possible consequences.