Scientists at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging made a groundbreaking discovery about brain sugar stores, which has significant implications for treating Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive decline. The researchers found that the metabolism of glycogen in neurons appears to protect the brain from toxic tau build-up and cognitive decline.
Glycogen, a stored form of glucose, was previously thought to be redundant in the brain. However, the study revealed that glycogen stores are involved in pathology and can impede metabolic processes when they accumulate with tau proteins. Boosting an enzyme called glycogen phosphorylase (GlyP) clears out excess sugar, stopping tau from clinging to it.
The discovery has sparked hope for a new therapeutic strategy targeting brain chemistry to fight age-related decline. Studies have shown that GLP-1 weight loss drugs may mimic dietary restriction and trigger GlyP boosts in neurons. This could lead to relief from dementia symptoms or prevention of its onset with current obesity medicines.
Source: https://newatlas.com/brain/alzheimers-dementia/brain-sugar-alzheimers-medicine