"Linking Altered Brain pH and Lactate Levels to Neuropsychiatric Disorders"

A global research effort involving 131 scientists from 105 laboratories across seven countries has identified alterations in brain pH and lactate levels as key indicators of metabolic dysfunction in a spectrum of neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, including intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depressive disorders, and Alzheimer’s disease. The study, published in eLife, suggests a potential common biological underpinning for these conditions and highlights the impact of both genetic and environmental factors on brain metabolism. The findings could pave the way for new approaches to diagnosing and treating these complex disorders, although further research is needed to understand the exact mechanisms at play in humans.