Metabolic signaling between neurons and glial cells: a short review

There is convincing evidence that astrocytes transform blood-born glucose to lactate, alpha-Keto-glutarate and alanine and supply the neurons. There is a tight regulation of this metabolic coupling by means of chemical signals released by functioning neurons. Previous, pioneer, studies have explored several signals-candidates the major being K(+), Ca(++) and several neuromodulators. However, recent results of numerous studies identify glutamate as the major signal that traffics between excited neurons and astrocytes. The excited neurons also produce and release NH(4)(+) in the extracellular space. Both glutamate and ammonium are taken up preferentially by astrocytes and form glutamine. Ammonia fixation by glutamine synthase controls the amount of lactate, glutamine and alanine produced and released by Muller cells in the extracellular space and then taken up by neurons. Thus, there is a tight coupling between function and metabolism in the central neurons system.