Brain tissue plasticity: protein synthesis rates of the human brain.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Case series / small observational physiological study in surgical patients
PubMed 29432531 · doi:10.1093/brain/awy015
What was done
Stable isotope tracer methodology was applied to directly measure in vivo protein synthesis rates in neocortex, hippocampus, and skeletal muscle tissue obtained from 6 patients undergoing temporal lobectomy for drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy.
What was found
Neocortex and hippocampus protein synthesis rates averaged 0.17 ± 0.01%/h and 0.13 ± 0.01%/h, respectively. Brain tissue protein synthesis rates were 3- to 4-fold higher than skeletal muscle protein synthesis rates (0.05 ± 0.01%/h; P < 0.001).
Why it matters
This provides the first direct in vivo quantification of human brain protein synthesis, showing that brain protein turnover is substantially faster than previously assumed or observed in muscle.
Limits
The sample size is very small (n = 6). All participants were surgical patients with drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy, so findings may be influenced by underlying pathology or antiepileptic medications and may not fully generalize to healthy brain tissue.
Cited by
- supports Brain protein turnover is approximately three times faster than skeletal muscle protein turnover.