Cited by 252Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchCancer, Hypoxia, and MetabolismNeurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms

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Do active cerebral neurons really use lactate rather than glucose?

Chih, Ching-Ping, Lipton, Peter, Roberts, Eugene L·2001·Trends in Neurosciences

DOI 10.1016/s0166-2236(00)01920-2

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Abstract

Glucose has long been considered the substrate for neuronal energy metabolism in the brain. Recently, an alternative explanation of energy metabolism in the active brain, the astrocyte-neuron lactate shuttle hypothesis, has received attention. It suggests that during neural activity energy needs in glia are met by anaerobic glycolysis, whereas neuronal metabolism is fueled by lactate released from glia. In this article, we critically examine the evidence supporting this hypothesis and explain, from the perspective of enzyme kinetics and substrate availability, why neurons probably use ambient glucose, and not glial-derived lactate, as the major substrate during activity.

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Authors: Chih, C.-P., Lipton, P., & Roberts, E. L.
Affiliations: Miami VA Healthcare System (US)
University of Wisconsin–Madison (US)
University of Miami (US)
Corresponding author: Roberts, Eugene L
Venue: Trends in Neurosciences
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Published: 2001-10
Volume: 24
Issue: 10
Pages: 573-578
ISSN: 0166-2236 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1016/s0166-2236(00)01920-2
OpenAlex: W1966886729
Cited by: 252
References: 67
Citations by year: 2026: 2 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 13
FWCI: 1.78
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations: Trends in Neurosciences (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cancer Research › Cancer, Hypoxia, and Metabolism
Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Developmental Neuroscience › Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
Keywords: astrocyte-neuron lactate shuttle, neuronal energy metabolism, glucose utilization, lactate, anaerobic glycolysis, brain energy metabolism, substrate availability, enzyme kinetics
MeSH terms: Animals, Astrocytes, Cerebral Cortex, Glucose, Humans, Neurons, Lactic Acid

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Do active cerebral neurons really use lactate rather than glucose?

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