The role of lactate-mediated metabolic coupling between astrocytes and neurons in long-term memory formation

Michael Q. Steinman, Virginia Gao, Cristina M. Alberini

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

96 Scopus citations

Abstract

Long-term memory formation, the ability to retain information over time about an experience, is a complex function that affects multiple behaviors, and is an integral part of an individual’s identity. In the last 50 years many scientists have focused their work on understanding the biological mechanisms underlying memory formation and processing. Molecular studies over the last three decades have mostly investigated, or given attention to, neuronal mechanisms. However, the brain is composed of different cell types that, by concerted actions, cooperate to mediate brain functions. Here, we consider some new insights that emerged from recent studies implicating astrocytic glycogen and glucose metabolisms, and particularly their coupling to neuronal functions via lactate, as an essential mechanism for long-term memory formation.

Original languageEnglish
Article number10
JournalFrontiers in Integrative Neuroscience
Volume10
Issue numberMAR2016
DOIs
StatePublished - 3 Mar 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Astrocyte
  • Glucose
  • Glucose metabolism
  • Lactate
  • Learning
  • Memory
  • Neuron

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