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Emerging Roles for Glycogen in the CNS
Alice E Waitt1, Liam Reed1, Bruce R Ransom2
1School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham Nottingham, UK.
Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience
|April 1, 2017
Summary
Brain glycogen, stored in astrocytes, provides energy for neurons during glucose scarcity and supports learning and memory. Its depletion leads to neural dysfunction and irreversible injury.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Glycogen serves as a glucose storage depot in mammals, crucial for energy homeostasis.
- While the liver's glycogen maintains systemic glucose levels, brain glycogen has specialized roles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the specialized functions of brain glycogen, particularly its role in supporting neuronal function and higher cognitive processes.
- To investigate the mechanisms of intercellular energy transfer involving brain glycogen and lactate.
Main Methods:
- Examining cell type-specific expression of metabolic enzymes and transporters in the brain.
- Assessing the impact of glucose withdrawal on neural function in the presence and absence of glycogen.
- Utilizing in vitro models of long-term potentiation (LTP) and in vivo rat models to study memory retention.
Main Results:
- Brain glycogen is primarily located in astrocytes in adults, supplying lactate to neurons.
- Glycogen supports neural elements during glucose deprivation, preventing irreversible injury.
- Inhibition of glycogen breakdown or lactate transport impairs memory retention in vivo.
Conclusions:
- Brain glycogen is essential for maintaining neuronal function during periods of high energy demand or glucose limitation.
- A complex intercellular metabolic pathway involving astrocytes and neurons is critical for brain energy supply.
- Brain glycogen plays a fundamental role in higher brain functions, including learning and memory.