Lactate 'plays major role in memory formation'RSS Feed

A type of "energy fuel" in the brain known as lactate has been found to play a significant role in the formation of long-term memories, which has significant implications for the treatment of brain injury in several conditions.

Research, published in journal Cell, found that astrocytes are much more involved in memory formation than was originally thought, which could change the way scientists view the brain injury seen in Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.

The study supports a previous hypothesis which suggested that lactate produced by astrocytes provides fuel to neurons, meaning that lactate in the brain rises during long-term memory formation.

Dr Cristina Alberini said: "Now that we know that lactate has this critical function, we can study why it does and why glucose does not have the same impact."

Meanwhile, research published in Age and Ageing, highlighted that while alcohol is involved in approximately ten per cent of all dementia cases, an analysis of studies has shown that when drank moderately, it is associated with a lower incidence of dementia.

News by Serious Law. Expert legal assistance for those affected by brain injury.

Posted by Timothy Walters
 

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