Understanding IGF-I's impact on neurocognitive aging: insights and therapeutic directions

Aging is a multifaceted process often marked by a decline in cognitive function, contributing to neurodegenerative diseases and reduced quality of life. Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) plays a crucial role in brain development, maintenance, and repair, with mounting evidence suggesting its levels and signaling mechanisms significantly affect neurocognitive aging. However, the precise pathways through which IGF-I influences cognitive decline and potential interventions remain underexplored.



The progressive decline in cognitive abilities presents a major challenge in an aging society, with significant social and healthcare burdens. While IGF-I has emerged as a promising regulator of neuronal health, its multifaceted roles and therapeutic potential in cognitive aging remain incompletely understood. The goal of this Research Topic is to advance our understanding of how IGF-I signaling influences neurocognitive trajectories in the aging brain and to identify innovative strategies for harnessing IGF-I and related pathways in the prevention or treatment of neurocognitive decline. By bringing together interdisciplinary research and expert perspectives, we aim to clarify IGF-I’s mechanisms of action, highlight translational opportunities, and map future directions for basic and clinical neuroscience. Ultimately, the objective is to foster novel insights that could inform the development of targeted therapies to preserve cognitive function and improve quality of life for the aging population.



This Research Topic invites original research, reviews, mini-reviews, perspectives, and case studies focusing on the role of IGF-I in neurocognitive aging. Contributors are encouraged to address molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying IGF-I's effects, its interactions with other neurotrophic factors or age-associated processes, and the implications for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. We also welcome studies exploring biomarkers, preclinical models, and clinical trials involving IGF-I modulation, as well as therapeutic strategies or interventions aiming to enhance cognitive resilience in aging populations.