Brain Energy Metabolism Research Articles

Mitochondria in Neuronal Health: From Energy Metabolism to Parkinson's Disease.

Mitochondria are the main suppliers of neuronal adenosine triphosphate and play a critical role in brain energy metabolism. Mitochondria also serve as Ca2+ sinks and anabolic factories and are therefore essential for neuronal function and survival. Dysregulation of neuronal bioenergetics is increasingly implicated in neurodegenerative disorders, particularly Parkinson's disease. This review describes the role of mitochondria in energy metabolism under resting conditions and during synaptic transmission, and presents evidence for the contribution of neuronal mitochondrial dysfunction to Parkinson's disease.

Differential regulation of oxidative stress, microbiota-derived, and energy metabolites in the mouse brain during sleep

Sleep has evolved as a universal core function to allow for restorative biological processes. Detailed knowledge of metabolic changes necessary for the sleep state in the brain is missing. Herein, we have performed an in-depth metabolic analysis of four mouse brain regions and uncovered region-specific circadian variations. Metabolites linked to oxidative stress were altered during sleep including acylcarnitines, hydroxylated fatty acids, phenolic compounds, and thiol-containing metabolites. These findings provide molecular evidence of a significant metabolic shift of the brain energy metabolism. Specific alterations were observed for brain metabolites that have previously not been associated with a circadian function including the microbiome-derived metabolite ergothioneine that suggests a regulatory function. The pseudopeptide β-citryl-glutamate has been linked to brain development and we have now discovered a previously unknown regioisomer. These metabolites altered by the circadian rhythm represent the foundation for hypothesis-driven studies of the underlying metabolic processes and their function.

Phosphorous Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Molecular Markers in IDH1 Wild Type Glioblastoma.

Simple SummaryGliobastoma is one of the deadliest tumors overall, yet the most common malignant brain tumor. The new World Health Organization Classification of Brain Tumors brought changes in how we look at this type of malignancy. Now we know that glioblastoma is rather a spectrum of similar tumors, but with some distinct characteristics that include molecular footprint, response to therapy and with that overall survival, among others. We hypothesised that by employing phosphorous magnetic resonance we will be able to show differences in cellular energy metabolism in these various subtypes of glioblastoma. For example, we found indices of faster cell reproduction and tumor growth in MGMT-methylated and EGFR-amplified tumors. These tumors also could have reduced energetic state or tissue oxygenation due to the increased necrosis. Tumors with EGFR-amplification could have increased apoptotic activity regardless of their MGMT status. Our study indicated various differences in energetic metabolism in tumors with different molecular characteristics, which could potentially be important in future therapeutic strategies.The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) classification of brain tumors requires consideration of both histological appearance and molecular characteristics. Possible differences in brain energy metabolism could be important in designing future therapeutic strategies. Forty-three patients with primary, isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) wild type glioblastomas (GBMs) were included in this study. Pre-operative standard MRI was obtained with additional phosphorous magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31-P-MRS) imaging. Following microsurgical resection of the tumors, biopsy specimens underwent neuropathological diagnostics including standard molecular diagnosis. The spectroscopy results were correlated with epidermal growth factor (EGFR) and -Methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) status. EGFR amplified tumors had significantly lower phosphocreatine (PCr) to adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-PCr/ATP and PCr to inorganic phosphate (Pi)-PCr/Pi ratios, and higher Pi/ATP and phosphomonoesters (PME) to phosphodiesters (PDE)-PME/PDE ratio than those without the amplification. Patients with MGMT-methylated tumors had significantly higher cerebral magnesium (Mg) values and PME/PDE ratio, while their PCr/ATP and PCr/Pi ratios were lower than in patients without the methylation. In survival analysis, not-EGFR-amplified, MGMT-methylated GBMs showed the longest survival. This group had lower PCr/Pi ratio when compared to MGMT-methylated, EGFR-amplified group. PCr/Pi ratio was lower also when compared to the MGMT-unmethylated, EGFR not-amplified group, while PCr/ATP ratio was lower than all other examined groups. Differences in energy metabolism in various molecular subtypes of wild-type-GBMs could be important information in future precision medicine approach.

Increased Beta-Hydroxybutyrate Level Is Not Sufficient for the Neuroprotective Effect of Long-Term Ketogenic Diet in an Animal Model of Early Parkinson's Disease. Exploration of Brain and Liver Energy Metabolism Markers.

The benefits of a ketogenic diet in childhood epilepsy steered up hope for neuroprotective effects of hyperketonemia in Parkinson’s disease (PD). There are multiple theoretical reasons but very little actual experimental proof or clinical trials. We examined the long-term effects of the ketogenic diet in an animal model of early PD. A progressive, selective dopaminergic medium size lesion was induced by 6-OHDA injection into the medial forebrain bundle. Animals were kept on the stringent ketogenic diet (1% carbohydrates, 8% protein, 70% fat) for 3 weeks prior and 4 weeks after the brain operation. Locomotor activity, neuron count, dopaminergic terminal density, dopamine level, and turnover were analyzed at three time-points post-lesion, up to 4 weeks after the operation. Energy metabolism parameters (glycogen, mitochondrial complex I and IV, lactate, beta-hydroxybutyrate, glucose) were analyzed in the brain and liver or plasma. Protein expression of enzymes essential for gluconeogenesis (PEPCK, G6PC) and glucose utilization (GCK) was analyzed in the liver. Despite long-term hyperketonemia pre- and post-lesion, the ketogenic diet did not protect against 6-OHDA-induced dopaminergic neuron lesions. The ketogenic diet only tended to improve locomotor activity and normalize DA turnover in the striatum. Rats fed 7 weeks in total with a restrictive ketogenic diet maintained normoglycemia, and neither gluconeogenesis nor glycogenolysis in the liver was responsible for this effect. Therefore, potentially, the ketogenic diet could be therapeutically helpful to support the late compensatory mechanisms active via glial cells but does not necessarily act against the oxidative stress-induced parkinsonian neurodegeneration itself. A word of caution is required as the stringent ketogenic diet itself also carries the risk of unwanted side effects, so it is important to study the long-term effects of such treatments. More detailed metabolic long-term studies using unified diet parameters are required, and human vs. animal differences should be taken under consideration.

Hydrogen-rich water ameliorates neuropathological impairments in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease through reducing neuroinflammation and modulating intestinal microbiota.

Hydrogen exhibits the potential to treat Alzheimer's disease. Stereotactic injection has been previously used as an invasive method of administering active hydrogen, but this method has limitations in clinical practice. In this study, triple transgenic (3×Tg) Alzheimer's disease mice were treated with hydrogen-rich water for 7 months. The results showed that hydrogen-rich water prevented synaptic loss and neuronal death, inhibited senile plaques, and reduced hyperphosphorylated tau and neurofibrillary tangles in 3×Tg Alzheimer's disease mice. In addition, hydrogen-rich water improved brain energy metabolism disorders and intestinal flora imbalances and reduced inflammatory reactions. These findings suggest that hydrogen-rich water is an effective hydrogen donor that can treat Alzheimer's disease. This study was approved by the Animal Ethics and Welfare Committee of Shenzhen University, China (approval No. AEWC-20140615-002) on June 15, 2014.

Brain Energy Metabolism in Two States of Mind Measured by Phosphorous Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy.

Introduction: Various functional neuroimaging studies help to better understand the changes in brain activity during meditation. The purpose of this study was to investigate how brain energy metabolism changes during focused attention meditation (FAM) state, measured by phosphorous magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS).Methods: 31P-MRS imaging was carried out in 27 participants after 7 weeks of FAM training. Metabolite ratios and the absolute values of metabolites were assessed after meditation training in two MRI measurements, by comparing effects in a FAM state with those in a distinct focused attention awake state during a backwards counting task.Results: The results showed decreased phosphocreatine/ATP (PCr/ATP), PCr/ inorganic phosphate (Pi), and intracellular pH values in the entire brain, but especially in basal ganglia, frontal lobes, and occipital lobes, and increased Pi/ATP ratio, cerebral Mg, and Pi absolute values were found in the same areas during FAM compared to the control focused attention awake state.Conclusions: Changes in the temporal areas and basal ganglia may be interpreted as a higher energetic state induced by meditation, whereas the frontal and occipital areas showed changes that may be related to a down-regulation in ATP turnover, energy state, and oxidative capacity.

BRAIN MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY IN MIGRAINE

Migraine is a common neurological disorder that is characterized by episodes of moderate to severe headache. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is a noninvasive method that enables in vivo studying of tissue metabolism by utilizing the magnetic properties of certain atomic nuclei, mainly hydrogen (1H) and phosphorous (31P). 1H-MRS is most commonly used to measure the concentration of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate, phosphocreatine (PCr), creatine, choline, N-acetylaspartate (NAA), myo-inositol, aspartate and lactate. 31P-MRS enables noninvasive in vivo measuring of concentration of compounds containing phosphorus nuclei. This allows the measurement of metabolites involved in brain energy metabolism including concentrations of phosphocreatine (PCr), inorganic phosphate, creatine, adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). 1H-MRS studies reported significant differences in levels of GABA, glutamate, lactate and NAA between migraine patients and controls, measured in various brain regions, while most of the studies found no significant differences in levels of myo-inositol, choline and total creatine. The main consistent findings using 31P-MRS are concomitantly decreased PCr and increased inorganic phosphate, that is, a decreased PCr/inorganic phosphate ratio, as well as decreased magnesium measured in cortical regions of migraine patients. For identifying a biomarker in migraine it is necessary for future Mrs studies to obtain additional information of the ictal state in migraine as well as before and after interventions. Severity of the disease (disease duration and migraine attack frequency) has to be taken into account to detect possible correlation with Mrs findings which also needs further research.

Menopause impacts human brain structure, connectivity, energy metabolism, and amyloid-beta deposition

All women undergo the menopause transition (MT), a neuro-endocrinological process that impacts aging trajectories of multiple organ systems including brain. The MT occurs over time and is characterized by clinically defined stages with specific neurological symptoms. Yet, little is known of how this process impacts the human brain. This multi-modality neuroimaging study indicates substantial differences in brain structure, connectivity, and energy metabolism across MT stages (pre-menopause, peri-menopause, and post-menopause). These effects involved brain regions subserving higher-order cognitive processes and were specific to menopausal endocrine aging rather than chronological aging, as determined by comparison to age-matched males. Brain biomarkers largely stabilized post-menopause, and gray matter volume (GMV) recovered in key brain regions for cognitive aging. Notably, GMV recovery and in vivo brain mitochondria ATP production correlated with preservation of cognitive performance post-menopause, suggesting adaptive compensatory processes. In parallel to the adaptive process, amyloid-β deposition was more pronounced in peri-menopausal and post-menopausal women carrying apolipoprotein E-4 (APOE-4) genotype, the major genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, relative to genotype-matched males. These data show that human menopause is a dynamic neurological transition that significantly impacts brain structure, connectivity, and metabolic profile during midlife endocrine aging of the female brain.

Brain energy metabolism and neurodegeneration: hints from CSF lactate levels in dementias

Mitochondrial dysfunction is pivotal in the development of neurodegenerative dementias, causing cellular death alongside disease-specific pathogenic cascades. Holding cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lactates as an indirect measure of brain metabolic activity, we first compared CSF lactate levels from patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD)—stratified according to the ATN system and epsilon genotype—frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and dementia with Lewy body (DLB) to findings from healthy controls. With respect to controls, we detected lower CSF lactates in patients with AD and FTD but comparable levels in patients with DLB. Second, a correlation analysis between CSF lactates and biomarkers of neurodegeneration identified an inverse correlation between lactates and levels of t-tau and p-tau only in the Alzheimer's continuum. The reduction of CSF lactate correlates to the advent of tauopathy and cellular death in AD, implying that Aβ pathology alone is not sufficient to induce neuronal metabolic impairment. The metabolic impairment in FTD patients has a similar explanation, as it is likely due to fast neuronal degeneration in the disease. The absence of CSF lactate reduction in patients with DLB may be related to the prevalent subcortical localization of the pathology.

Phosphorous Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy to Detect Regional Differences of Energy and Membrane Metabolism in Naïve Glioblastoma Multiforme.

Simple SummaryGlioblastoma multiforme is a highly aggressive brain tumor, tending to infiltrate even larger zones of brain tissue than visible on conventional magnetic resonance imaging. By application of phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy in patients with naïve glioblastoma multiforme, we tried to demonstrate changes in energy and membrane metabolism not only in affected regions but also in distant brain regions, the opposite brain hemisphere, and in comparison to healthy volunteers. We found reduced energetic states and signs of increased cell membrane turnover in regions of visible tumor and differences to and between the “normal-appearing” brains of glioblastoma patients and the brains of healthy volunteers. Our pilot study confirmed the feasibility of the method, so differences between various genetic mutations or clinical applicability for follow-up monitoring can be assessed in larger cohorts.Background: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly malignant primary brain tumor with infiltration of, on conventional imaging, normal-appearing brain parenchyma. Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS) enables the investigation of different energy and membrane metabolites. The aim of this study is to investigate regional differences of 31P-metabolites in GBM brains. Methods: In this study, we investigated 32 patients (13 female and 19 male; mean age 63 years) with naïve GBM using 31P-MRS and conventional MRI. Contrast-enhancing (CE), T2-hyperintense, adjacent and distant ipsilateral areas of the contralateral brain and the brains of age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers were assessed. Moreover, the 31P-MRS results were correlated with quantitative diffusion parameters. Results: Several metabolite ratios between the energy-dependent metabolites and/or the membrane metabolites differed significantly between the CE areas, the T2-hyperintense areas, the more distant areas, and even the brains of healthy volunteers. pH values and Mg2+ concentrations were highest in visible tumor areas and decreased with distance from them. These results are in accordance with the literature and correlated with quantitative diffusion parameters. Conclusions: This pilot study shows that 31P-MRS is feasible to show regional differences of energy and membrane metabolism in brains with naïve GBM, particularly between the different “normal-appearing” regions and between the contralateral hemisphere and healthy controls. Differences between various genetic mutations or clinical applicability for follow-up monitoring have to be assessed in a larger cohort.

MiR-146a Dysregulates Energy Metabolism During Neuroinflammation.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by chronic neuroinflammation and a reduction in brain energy metabolism. An important role has emerged for small, non-coding RNA molecules known as microRNAs (miRNAs) in the pathophysiology of many neurodegenerative disorders. As epigenetic regulators, miRNAs possess the capacity to regulate and fine tune protein production by inhibiting translation. Several miRNAs, which include miR-146a, are elevated in the brain, CSF, and plasma of AD patients. miR-146a participates in pathways that regulate immune activation and has several mRNA targets which encode for proteins involved in cellular energy metabolism. An additional role for extracellular vesicles (EVs) has also emerged in the progression AD, as EVs can transfer functionally active proteins and RNAs from diseased to healthy cells. In the current study, we exposed various cell types present within the CNS to immunomodulatory molecules and observed significant upregulation of miR-146a expression, both within cells and within their secreted EVs. Further, we assessed the effects of miR-146a overexpression on bioenergetic function in primary rat glial cells and found significant reductions in oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis. Lastly, we correlated miR-146a expression levels within various regions of the AD brain to disease staging and found significant, positive correlations. These novel results demonstrate that the modulation of miR-146a in response to neuroinflammatory stimuli may mediate the loss of mitochondrial integrity and function in cells, thereby contributing to the progression of beta-amyloid and tau pathology in the AD brain. Multiple inflammatory stimuli can upregulate miRNA-146a expression within neurons, mixed glial cells, and brain endothelial cells, which is either retained within these cells or released from them as extracellular vesicle cargo. The upregulation of miR-146a disrupts cellular bioenergetics in mixed glial cells. This mechanism may play a critical role in the neuroinflammatory response observed during Alzheimer's disease.

Physiologically Relevant Concentrations of Dolutegravir, Emtricitabine, and Efavirenz Induce Distinct Metabolic Alterations in HeLa Epithelial and BV2 Microglial Cells.

Microglia, the resident brain phagocytes, likely play a key role in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection of the central nervous system (CNS) and subsequent neuropathogenesis; however, the nature of the infection-induced changes that yield damaging CNS effects and the stimuli that provoke microglial activation remains elusive, especially in the current era of using antiretroviral (ARV) drugs for ARV therapy (ART). Altered microglial metabolism can modulate cellular functionality and pathogenicity in neurological disease. While HIV infection itself alters brain energy metabolism, the effect of ARV drugs, particularly those currently used in treatment, on metabolism is understudied. Dolutegravir (DTG) and emtricitabine (FTC) combination, together with tenofovir (TAF or TDF), is one of the recommended first line treatments for HIV. Despite the relatively good tolerability and safety profile of FTC, a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, and DTG, an integrase inhibitor, adverse side effects have been reported and highlight a need to understand off-target effects of these medications. We hypothesized that similar to previous ART regimen drugs, DTG and FTC side effects involve mitochondrial dysfunction. To increase detection of ARV-induced mitochondrial effects, highly glycolytic HeLa epithelial cells were forced to rely on oxidative phosphorylation by substituting galactose for glucose in the growth media. We assessed ATP levels, resazurin oxidation-reduction (REDOX), and mitochondrial membrane potential following 24-hour exposure (to approximate effects of one dose equivalent) to DTG, FTC, and efavirenz (EFV, a known mitotoxic ARV drug). Further, since microglia support productive HIV infection, act as latent HIV cellular reservoirs, and when dysfunctional likely contribute to HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders, the experiments were repeated using BV2 microglial cells. In HeLa cells, FTC decreased mitochondrial REDOX activity, while DTG, similar to EFV, impaired both mitochondrial ATP generation and REDOX activity. In contrast to HeLa cells, DTG increased cellular ATP generation and mitochondrial REDOX activity in BV2 cells. Bioenergetic analysis revealed that DTG, FTC, and EFV elevated BV2 cell mitochondrial respiration. DTG and FTC exposure induced distinct mitochondrial functional changes in HeLa and BV2 cells. These findings suggest cell type-specific metabolic changes may contribute to the toxic side effects of these ARV drugs.

Hippocampal Disruptions of Synaptic and Astrocyte Metabolism are Primary Events of Early Amyloid Pathology in the 5xFAD Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an unremitting neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cerebral amyloid-β (Aβ) accumulation and gradual decline in cognitive function. Changes in brain energy metabolism arise in the preclinical phase of AD, suggesting an important metabolic component of early AD pathology. Neurons and astrocytes function in close metabolic collaboration, which is essential for the recycling of neurotransmitters in the synapse. However, this crucial metabolic interplay during the early stages of AD development has not been sufficiently investigated. Here, we provide an integrative analysis of cellular metabolism during the early stages of Aβ accumulation in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of the 5xFAD mouse model of AD. Our electrophysiological examination revealed an increase in spontaneous excitatory signaling in the 5xFAD hippocampus. This hyperactive neuronal phenotype coincided with decreased hippocampal TCA cycle metabolism mapped by stable 13C isotope tracing. Particularly, reduced astrocyte TCA cycle activity led to decreased glutamine synthesis, in turn hampering neuronal GABA synthesis in the 5xFAD hippocampus. In contrast, the cerebral cortex of 5xFAD mice displayed an elevated capacity for oxidative glucose metabolism suggesting a metabolic compensation. We found limited changes when we explored the brain proteome and metabolome of the 5xFAD mice, supporting that the functional metabolic disturbances between neurons and astrocytes are early primary events in AD pathology. In addition, synaptic mitochondrial and glycolytic function was impaired selectively in the 5xFAD hippocampus, whereas non-synaptic mitochondrial function was maintained. These findings were supported by ultrastructural analyses demonstrating disruptions in mitochondrial morphology, particularly in the 5xFAD hippocampus. Collectively, our study reveals complex regional and cell-specific metabolic adaptations, in the early stages of amyloid pathology, which may be fundamental for the progressing synaptic dysfunction in AD.

Irs2 deficiency alters hippocampus-associated behaviors during young adulthood

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), characterized by hyperglycemia and insulin resistance, has been recognized as a risk factor for cognitive impairment and dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Insulin receptor substrate2 (IRS2) is a major component of the insulin/insulin-like growth factor-1 signaling pathway. Irs2 deletion leads to life-threatening T2DM, promoting premature death in male mice regardless of their genetic background. Here, we showed for the first time that young adult male mice lacking Irs2 on a C57BL/6J genetic background (Irs2−/−/6J) survived in different experimental environments and displayed hippocampus-associated behavioral alterations. Young adult male Irs2−/−/6J mice also exhibit aberrant alterations in energy and nutrient sensors, such as AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and glucose transporter3 (GLUT3), and reduced core body temperature accompanied by abnormal change in the temperature sensor in the brain. These results suggest that Irs2 deficiency-induced impairments of brain energy metabolism and thermoregulation contribute to hippocampus-associated behavioral changes in young adult male mice.

Olanzapine and Brain Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Markers in Healthy Participants Without DSM Psychiatric Disorders

Using brain magnetic resonance spectroscopy approaches, we have found abnormalities of brain metabolite and energy metabolism markers in psychotic disorders. It remains unknown how antipsychotic medication, a mainstay of treatment, may modify these markers in the brain in vivo. With multimodal MRS, we examined the effects of olanzapine administration in healthy participants without history of psychiatric disorders.

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Accumulating evidence demonstrate not only metabolite changes but also brain energy metabolism abnormalities exist in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Here we reviewed the published literature on in vivo human brain MRS studies in MCI and AD.

Hemodynamic and oxygen-metabolic responses of the awake mouse brain to hypercapnia revealed by multi-parametric photoacoustic microscopy

A widely used cerebrovascular stimulus and common pathophysiologic condition, hypercapnia is of great interest in brain research. However, it remains controversial how hypercapnia affects brain hemodynamics and energy metabolism. By using multi-parametric photoacoustic microscopy, the multifaceted responses of the awake mouse brain to different levels of hypercapnia are investigated. Our results show significant and vessel type-dependent increases of the vessel diameter and blood flow in response to the hypercapnic challenges, along with a decrease in oxygen extraction fraction due to elevated venous blood oxygenation. Interestingly, the increased blood flow and decreased oxygen extraction are not commensurate with each other, which leads to reduced cerebral oxygen metabolism. Further, time-lapse imaging over 2-hour chronic hypercapnic challenges reveals that the structural, functional, and metabolic changes induced by severe hypercapnia (10% CO2) are not only more pronounced but more enduring than those induced by mild hypercapnia (5% CO2), indicating that the extent of brain’s compensatory response to chronic hypercapnia is inversely related to the severity of the challenge. Offering quantitative, dynamic, and CO2 level-dependent insights into the hemodynamic and metabolic responses of the brain to hypercapnia, these findings might provide useful guidance to the application of hypercapnia in brain research.

IDH knockdown alters foraging behavior in the termite Odontotermes formosanus in different social contexts.

Foraging, as an energy-consuming behavior, is very important for colony survival in termites. How energy metabolism related to glucose decomposition and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production influences foraging behavior in termites is still unclear. Here, we analyzed the change in energy metabolism in the whole organism and brain after silencing the key metabolic gene isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) and then investigated its impact on foraging behavior in the subterranean termite Odontotermes formosanus in different social contexts. The IDH gene exhibited higher expression in the abdomen and head of O. formosanus. The knockdown of IDH resulted in metabolic disorders in the whole organism. The dsIDH-injected workers showed significantly reduced walking activity but increased foraging success. Interestingly, IDH knockdown altered brain energy metabolism, resulting in a decline in ATP levels and an increase in IDH activity. Additionally, the social context affected brain energy metabolism and, thus, altered foraging behavior in O. formosanus. We found that the presence of predator ants increased the negative influence on the foraging behavior of dsIDH-injected workers, including a decrease in foraging success. However, an increase in the number of nestmate soldiers could provide social buffering to relieve the adverse effect of predator ants on worker foraging behavior. Our orthogonal experiments further verified that the role of the IDH gene as an inherent factor was dominant in manipulating termite foraging behavior compared with external social contexts, suggesting that energy metabolism, especially brain energy metabolism, plays a crucial role in regulating termite foraging behavior.

Phosphate Brain Energy Metabolism and Cognition in Alzheimer's Disease: A Spectroscopy Study Using Whole-Brain Volume-Coil 31Phosphorus Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy at 7Tesla.

IntroductionMitochondrial dysfunction is a neurometabolic hallmark signaling abnormal brain energy metabolism (BEM) targeted as a potential early marker of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Advanced imaging technologies, such as 31phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P MRS) at ultra-high-field (UHF) magnetic strength 7T, provide sensitive phosphate-BEM (p-BEM) data with precision. The study’s first goal was to develop a methodology to measure phosphate energy and membrane metabolites simultaneously across the whole-brain using volume-coil 31P MRS at 7T in three groups-cognitively normal (CN), amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), and AD. The second aim investigated whether p-BEM markers in the four brain regions-frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital were significantly different across the three groups. The final goal examined correspondence between the p-BEM markers and cognition in the three groups.MethodsForty-one participants (CN = 15, aMCI = 15, AD = 11) were enrolled and completed cognitive assessment and scan. The cognitive domains included executive function (EF), memory, attention, visuospatial skills, and language. The p-BEM markers were measured using energy reserve index (PCr/t-ATP), energy consumption index (intracellular_Pi/t-ATP), metabolic state indicator (intracellular_Pi/PCr), and regulatory co-factors [magnesium (Mg2+) and intracellular pH].ResultsThirteen metabolites were measured simultaneously from the whole brain for all three group with high spectral resolution at UHF. In the aMCI group, a lower p-BEM was observed compared to CN group based on two markers, i.e., energy reserve (p = 0.009) and energy consumption (p = 0.05) indices; whereas in AD a significant increase was found in metabolic stress indicator (p = 0.007) and lower Mg2+ (p = 0.004) in the temporal lobes compared to aMCI using ANOVA between group analytical approach. Finally, using a linear mixed model, a significant positive correlation was found between Mg2+ and cognitive performance of memory (p = 0.013), EF (p = 0.023), and attention (p = 0.0003) in CN but not in aMCI or AD.ConclusionTo our knowledge, this is the first study to show that it is possible to measure p-BEM in vivo with precision at UHF across the three groups. Moreover, the findings suggest that p-BEM may be compromised in aMCI even before an AD diagnosis, which in future studies should explore to examine whether this energy crisis contributes to some of the earliest neuropathophysiologic changes in AD.

A cut finite element method for spatially resolved energy metabolism models in complex neuro-cell morphologies with minimal remeshing

A thorough understanding of brain metabolism is essential to tackle neurodegenerative diseases. Astrocytes are glial cells which play an important metabolic role by supplying neurons with energy. In addition, astrocytes provide scaffolding and homeostatic functions to neighboring neurons and contribute to the blood–brain barrier. Recent investigations indicate that the complex morphology of astrocytes impacts upon their function and in particular the efficiency with which these cells metabolize nutrients and provide neurons with energy, but a systematic understanding is still elusive. Modelling and simulation represent an effective framework to address this challenge and to deepen our understanding of brain energy metabolism. This requires solving a set of metabolic partial differential equations on complex domains and remains a challenge. In this paper, we propose, test and verify a simple numerical method to solve a simplified model of metabolic pathways in astrocytes. The method can deal with arbitrarily complex cell morphologies and enables the rapid and simple modification of the model equations by users also without a deep knowledge in the numerical methods involved. The results obtained with the new method (CutFEM) are as accurate as the finite element method (FEM) whilst CutFEM disentangles the cell morphology from its discretisation, enabling us to deal with arbitrarily complex morphologies in two and three dimensions.