Scientists have discovered a surprising mechanism in brain cells that could transform how we fight Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Neurons don’t just store sugar for fuel, but reroute it to power antioxidant defenses through an enzyme called GlyP. When this system is blocked, toxic tau protein builds up and accelerates brain degeneration.
Researchers at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging have found that breaking down glycogen, a stored form of glucose, in neurons may protect the brain from toxic protein buildup and degeneration. The study, published in Nature Metabolism, reveals how Glycogen metabolism is involved in pathology.
The research team discovered that neurons accumulate excessive glycogen in both fly and human models of tauopathy, contributing to disease progression. When glycogen can’t be broken down, neurons lose a crucial mechanism for managing oxidative stress, a key feature in aging and neurodegeneration.
By restoring the activity of GlyP, researchers found they could reduce tau-related damage in fruit flies and human stem cell-derived neurons. This breakthrough suggests that targeting GlyP may unlock new therapeutic strategies for combating Alzheimer’s and related diseases.
The study highlights the power of metabolic dysregulation in impacting neurodegeneration, using a simple animal model to uncover how glycogen metabolism affects brain health. The findings also offer hope that better understanding and rebalancing the brain’s sugar code could lead to powerful tools for combating dementia.
Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250630073442.htm