Ewan Mcnay
Associate Professor
Psychology
University at Albany
United States of America
Biography
Ewan McNay's research explores the cognitive and neural impacts of recurrent hypoglycemia (RH), which is the most common and most feared side-effect of intensive insulin therapy for diabetes: too much insulin can cause hypoglycemic shock. Another major line of research examines the role of insulin, not only active in modulation of brain functions beyond control of food intake, but as a critical component of hippocampal memory and metabolic processes. McNay explores how memory improved by administration of insulin, as well as how inhibition of insulin signalling within the hippocampus entirely wipes out spatial memory processing. Other ongoing research areas include the relationship between insulin and beta-amyloid, in both diabetes (especially type 2 diabetes) and Alzheimer's disease; the interactions between the brain's multiple memory systems; and the impact of fatty acids and a high-fat diet on cognitive and neural functions. He received his Ph.D. in neuroscience from the University of Virginia.
Research Interest
Metabolic Factors in Brain Function Mechanistic Links Between Type 2 Diabetes and Alzheimer's Disease Role of Insulin in Brain Function Interactions Between Multiple Neural Memory Systems
Publications
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Osborne, Danielle M., Jiah Pearson-Leary, and Ewan C. McNay. "The neuroenergetics of stress hormones in the hippocampus and implications for memory." Frontiers in neuroscience 9 (2015).
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McNay, Ewan C., et al. "Long-term, intermittent, insulin-induced hypoglycemia produces marked obesity without hyperphagia or insulin resistance: a model for weight gain with intensive insulin therapy." American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism 304.2 (2013): E131-E138.
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Alavian, Kambiz N., et al. "Bcl-xL regulates metabolic efficiency of neurons through interaction with the mitochondrial F1FO ATP synthase." Nature cell biology 13.10 (2011): 1224.
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McNay, Ewan C., et al. "Hippocampal memory processes are modulated by insulin and high-fat-induced insulin resistance." Neurobiology of learning and memory 93.4 (2010): 546-553.
