Glucose, glucose transporters and neurogenesis

Abstract

Since the pioneering work of Altman in the late 60's, much has been learned about the generation of neurons in the adult brains of several species, including mice, rats, and humans. An underlying assumption is that these newborn neurons acquire their energy, in the form of glucose, in a similar manner to mature neurons: via glucose transporters. Using BRDU and double immunohistochemistry, we investigated the relationship between hippocampal neurogenesis and glucose transporters, as well as monocarboxylate transporters. Unexpectedly, the results suggest that newborn neurons do not acquire their energy via the major glucose transporters (1, 3, 4, and 8), nor via either monocarboxylate transporter tested (1 and 2). Future studies will have to resolve whether lesser known glucose transporters carry this function or if other mechanisms are used to provide metabolic energy to newborn neurons.