Neurons share more similarities with insulin-producing pancreatic islet cells than with any other cell type. The root of this similarity may lie in the islet's evolution from an ancestral insulin-producing neuron. The islet-neuron connection becomes less surprising as we learn more about insulin's involvement in functions far from its traditional role in mediating glucose uptake in muscle. The importance of insulin in the regulation of corporal aging has been established by the dramatic increases in longevity experienced by animals in which the adipose insulin receptor has been genetically eliminated, or in which the insulin-related daf genes have been mutated. New research suggests that, analogous to its influence on corporal aging, insulin also makes important contributions to brain aging and the expression of late-life neurodegenerative disease. Insulin plays a key role in cognition and other aspects of normal brain function. Insulin resistance induces chronic peripheral insulin elevations and is associated with reduced insulin activity both in periphery and brain. The insulin resistance syndrome underlies conditions such as Type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension, which are associated with age-related cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. This book discusses the mechanisms through which insulin dysregulation contributes to the development of cognitive impairment and late-life neurodegenerative disease. Given the recent pandemic of conditions associated with insulin resistance, it is imperative that we achieve a comprehensive knowledge of the mechanisms through which insulin resistance affects brain function in order to develop therapeutic strategies to address these effects.

The central nervous system controls vital functions by ef?ciently coordinating peripheral and central cascades of signals and networks in an orchestrated manner. Historically, the brain was considered to be insulin independent. These earlier views have been challenged by ?ndings demonstrating that insulin exerts multiple actions in the brain, regulating vital biological processes such as life span, neuronal survival, cognition, reproduction, feeding behavior, energy balance, and glucose and fat metabolism, and that inef?cient central action of insulin contributes to the development of severe pathologies (Banks et al. 2000; Gerozissis 2003, 2004, 2008; Lustman and Clouse 2005; Okamoto et al. 2001; Park 2002; Perrin et al. 2004; Pocai et al. 2005; Reger et al. 2008; Schwartz and Porte, 2005; Schubert et al. 2004; van der Heide et al. 2005; Woods et al. 1979; Wrighten et al. 2008). Insulin and speci?c insulin receptors are widely distributed in the networks of the central nervous system related mainly to feeding or cognition (Baskin et al. 1983; Bruning et al. 2000; Gerozissis 2003, 2008; Havrankova et al. 1978a, b; Schechter et al. 1996; Schulingkamp et al. 2000; Schwartz et al. 1992; Zhao et al. 2004). Insulin receptors located in the synapses of neurons and in astrocytes are present in high concentrations in the cerebral cortex, olfactory bulb, hippocampus, amygdala, cerebellum and hypothalamus (Abbott et al., 1999; Havrankova et al.

Ausbau und Verstetigung einer inklusiven Bildungsinfrastruktur fur das Lernen Erwachsener sind dezidierte Aufgaben offentlicher Weiterbildung. Grundversorgung, Zuganglichkeit und Bildungsgerechtigkeit signalisieren die politisch-gesellschaftliche Dimension der Aufgabenstellung, ein effizientes Management die okonomische Dimension. Beide Perspektiven stehen im Zentrum dieses Bandes, der Klaus Meisel zum 60. Geburtstag gewidmet ist. Engagierte Beweglichkeit kann in institutioneller Perspektive als gleichzeitige Fokussierung auf Infrastruktur- und Angebotsgestaltung fur das Lernen Erwachsener und auf wirtschaftliche Ressourcenoptimierung und Sparsamkeit gedeutet werden. In professioneller Perspektive verweist sie auf das habitualisierte Handeln der verantwortlichen Akteure, die nicht nur die Gestaltung des Lernens, sondern auch die Gestaltung in und an der Organisation in Bewegung bringen. "