Boosting the Brain's Metabolism to Fight Alzheimer's

A French study published in Cell Metabolism focused on the brain's metabolism in relation to the development of Alzheimer's disease, and identified another path to potentially help mitigate memory loss, reports Being Patient . Using mouse models, the researchers aimed to learn whether a decline in metabolism directly impacted cognitive deterioration. They observed that decreased glucose metabolism in the brain caused less production of the amino acid L-serine, which is produced by astrocytes in the brain but also found in supplements. L-serine is known to activate NMDA receptors, which are important in keeping the brain functioning properly and maintaining memory. Less L-serine in the brain corresponded with lower activity in NMDA receptors, leading to impaired cognitive function and memory in mice. Restoring L-serine concentrations was apparently accompanied by a return to normal function. "Our findings reveal that astrocytic glycolysis controls cognitive functions and suggest oral L-serine as a ready-to-use therapy for Alzheimer's," the authors concluded.