Universal Glia to Neurone Lactate Transfer in the Nervous System: Physiological Functions and Pathological Consequences.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review of mechanistic concepts without primary human data or systematic synthesis
PubMed 33228235 · doi:10.3390/bios10110183
What was done
This narrative review synthesizes literature on the transfer of lactate from glial elements to neurons via extracellular fluid, examining its roles in normal nervous system function and pathology.
What was found
The abstract reports no quantitative data or statistical comparisons. It outlines that astrocytes metabolize glucose and glycogen into lactate to support neurons during energy-intensive processes like learning and memory, as well as during low glucose availability. It also notes roles for lactate shuttling in sleep, myelination, and motor end plate integrity, and notes that disrupted glia-neuron lactate signaling is reported in Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, depression, and schizophrenia.
Why it matters
The paper summarizes the astrocyte-to-neuron lactate shuttle model and frames disrupted glial-neuronal metabolic coupling as a common factor in neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders.
Limits
The abstract describes a non-systematic narrative review with no primary data, sample sizes, or quantitative effect estimates. It does not distinguish between findings in cell culture, animal models, and human disease.
Cited by
- supports Astrocytes in the brain are predominantly glycolytic and produce lactate that is taken up by neurons via MCT transporters for energy.