Alzheimer’s Disease is Worsened by Low Glucose Uptake

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.