Alzheimer’s Disease is Worsened by Low Glucose Uptake
Aug 08, 2015
HOW GLUCOSE MOVES THROUGH THE BRAIN IMPACTS
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASEGlucose is a vital substance for the body. Without
glucose or with extremely low levels of glucose, the body would have little to no energy. Glucose moves
across the blood-brain barrier with the help of a particular protein named GLUT1
A new study published by Keck School of Medicine in “Nature Neuroscience” reveals that if the protein GLUT1 is deficient, thereby impairing movement of glucose across the blood-brain
barrier, neurological degeneration associated with Alzheimer’s is worsened.
The study results indicate that by focusing on the protein, there may be an
opportunity to intervene in the degenerative process and slow down or
perhaps even prevent the cognitive dysfunction prevalent with this disease.
GLUT1 protein deficiency can breakdown neurological functioning
Earlier studies showed low levels of glucose among those found to be at higher genetic
risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Deficiencies in GLUT1 at the blood-brain barrier are not a
result of the disease, but rather contribute to it by causing vascular injury which results in
acceleration of Alzheimer’s symptoms.
In the current study, researchers used mice subjects to demonstrate the role of GLUT1
in maintaining the brain’s capillary networks, healthy blood flow and
maintaining the veracity of the blood-brain barrier. Researchers established that
imperfections in GLUT1 caused a diminished flow of glucose across the brain.
Further, after a period of six months at this diminished glucose uptake, the mice
began to display signs of neural dysfunction, neurodegeneration, above
normal levels of amyloid-beta and general behavioral issues. Left unchecked, inadequate GLUT1 contributed to a
breakdown of the blood-brain barrier.
Researchers will move forward now to deepen their understanding of GLUT1’s
role in normalizing brain metabolism and to identify the pathways through which the protein functions. They also want know if the central nervous system is
impacted more from GLUT1 deficiency at the embryo stage versus deficiency that
happens later in life.