Targeting Astroglial Glucose Metabolism to Treat Alzheimer Disease

Alzheimer disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disease, contributing to 60-70 % to all cases of dementia, which, according to the World health organization, currently represents 50 million people worldwide. AD manifests in the deterioration of cognitive functions, representing a burden for the patients, families and the society as a whole, yet there are no effective treatments. This likely arises from the lack of understanding the primary mechanisms that lead to the demise of neurons in AD. It is likely that neurodegeneration is secondary to the impairment of key homeostatic mechanisms, which are carried out by neuroglia. Here we highlight the role of astrocytes, abundant neuroglial cells in the central nervous system, providing metabolic support to neuronal networks in the form of aerobic glycolysis. Future therapies should target glycolysis regulation, as this process is impaired in AD.