Glucose Metabolism Brain describes the complex and highly regulated process by which the central nervous system acquires, utilizes, and manages glucose, its primary energy substrate, to fuel cognitive function and neuronal signaling. While the brain represents a small fraction of body weight, it consumes a disproportionately large amount of the body’s total glucose and oxygen. Efficient cerebral glucose metabolism is a non-negotiable prerequisite for optimal neurological and hormonal function.
Origin
This phrase integrates the core biochemical process of glucose metabolism with the specific physiological context of the brain. It is a key concept in neuroendocrinology and metabolic health, recognizing the brain’s unique and demanding energetic requirements. Impairment in this area is a central feature of many neurodegenerative and metabolic disorders.
Mechanism
Glucose is transported across the blood-brain barrier primarily via GLUT1 transporters, and then taken up by neurons and astrocytes using GLUT3 and GLUT4, respectively. Astrocytes convert glucose to lactate, which is then shuttled to neurons as a secondary fuel source. Hormones such as insulin, though less impactful than in peripheral tissues, and cortisol modulate glucose uptake and utilization, influencing the brain’s energy balance and susceptibility to excitotoxicity.
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