| Description |
Although brain represents only 2% of the body weight, it consumes 25% of total body glucose and oxygen indicating the overwhelming energy demands of the brain. In addition to glucose, substantial utilization of alternate fuels also occurs under fasting or starvation. Glutamate and -aminobutyric acid are the major excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, respectively in the matured mammalian central nervous system. These neurotransmitters are involved in many functions such as motor, behavior, cognition and emotion and are affected during the course of the normal aging as well as various neuropathological conditions. 13C NMR Spectroscopy together with infusion of 13C labeled substrates has given important insights in the brain energy metabolism. These studies have indicated that neurotransmitter energetic is supported by oxidative glucose metabolism. In this presentation, I will give a brief overview of these findings. In addition, I will also discuss our recent findings of neurotransmitter energetics in different cerebral disorders.
|