Opinion
Targeting Astroglial Glucose Metabolism to Treat Alzheimer Disease
Helena H. Chowdhury1,2 and Robert Zorec1,2*
1 Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology - Molecular Cell Physiology, Institute of Pathophysiology, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Medicine, Slovenia
2 Laboratory of Cell Engineering, Celica Biomedical, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Robert Zorec.
Received Date: January 13, 2020; Published Date: January 30, 2020
Abstract
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.
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Helena H Chowdhury, Robert Zorec. Targeting Astroglial Glucose Metabolism to Treat Alzheimer Disease. Arch Neurol & Neurosci. 6(5): 2020. ANN.MS.ID.000647.
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