Insight into Neuronal Glucose Metabolism through "Sweet" Research

Neurons in the brain directly metabolize glucose through glycolysis to function normally, contrary to previous beliefs that glial cells metabolized the sugar and indirectly fuel neurons. The findings could provide insights into the development of new therapeutic approaches for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, where the brain’s uptake of glucose decreases in the early stages of the diseases. The study also showed that neurons rely on glycolysis for normal functioning and that they use other energy sources, such as galactose, when glucose is not available, but it is not as efficient.