Insulin, as leptin, is considered as a lipostatic signal acting at central level. Ageing and age-associated adiposity have been related to the development of leptin resistance in Wistar rats. In the present article hypothalamic insulin response during ageing has been studied in Wistar rats. Thus, the effects of intracerebroventricular infusion of insulin during a week on food intake and body weight as well as insulin signal transduction after acute intracerebroventricular insulin administration have been studied in 3, 8 and 24 month old rats. To explore the possible role of age-associated adiposity, these experiments were also performed in 8 and 24 month old rats after three months of food restriction in order to reduce visceral adiposity index to values below to those of young animals. Intracerebroventricular administration of insulin during a week was more efficient reducing food intake and body weight in 3 month old rats than in 8 and 24 month old rats. Hypothalamic insulin-stimulated IR, GSK3, AKT and p70S6K phosphorylation decreased with ageing. IR and IRS-2 phospho-serine was increased in 24 month old rats. Food restriction improved both, insulin responsiveness and insulin signaling. These data suggest that Wistar rats develop hypothalamic insulin resistance with ageing. This can be explained by alterations of the signal transduction pathway. The fact that food restriction improves central insulin response and signal transduction points to the aged-associated adiposity as a key player in the development of central insulin resistance.