PPARs in Neurodegenerative and Neuroinflammatory Pathways

PPARs are lipid sensors activate by dietary lipids or their metabolites, mainly fatty acids and eicosanoids , that play critical roles in CNS biology, since brain has a very high lipid content and has the higher energetic metabolism in the body. In neurodegenerative diseases in addition to metabolic impariment also neuroinflammation is observed and PPARs are also closely linked to inflammatory process. Several studies have revealed a complicated relationship between the innate immune response and tissue metabolism. In the brain, during pathological conditions, an alteration in metabolic status occurs, particularly involving glucose utilization and production, a condition which is generally related to metabolic changes. Taking into account the high expression of PPARs in the brain, this review will focus on the role of these transcription factors in CNS diseases.