Hip Redux
New research has revealed a previously unknown mechanism in the body which regulates a hormone that is crucial for motivation, stress responses and control of blood pressure, pain and appetite. The breakthrough could be used to design drugs to help fight health problems connected with these functions in the future.
Researchers at the University of Bristol and University College London found that lactate – essentially lactic acid – causes cells in the brain to release more noradrenaline (norepinephrine in US English), a hormone and neurotransmitter which is fundamental for brain function. Without it people can hardly wake up or focus on anything.
Production of lactate can be triggered by muscle use, which reinforces the connection between exercise and positive mental wellbeing.
Lactate was first discovered in sour milk by Swedish chemist, Carl Wilhelm Scheele in 1780. It is produced naturally by the body, for example when muscles are at work. In the brain, it has always been regarded as an energy source which can be delivered to neurones as fuel to keep them working when brain activity increases.
This research, published today [11 February] in Nature Communications, identifies a secondary function for lactate as a signal between brain cells. It implies that there is an as yet unknown receptor for lactate in the brain which must be present on noradrenaline cells to make them sensitive to lactate.
Professor Sergey Kasparov, from Bristol University's School of Physiology and Pharmacology, said: "Our findings suggest that lactate has more than one incarnation - in addition to its role as an energy source, it is also a signal to neurones to release more noradrenaline."
Dr Anja Teschemacher, also from the University of Bristol, added: "The next big task is to identify the receptor which mediates this effect because this will help to design drugs to block or stimulate this response. If we can regulate the release of noradrenaline – which is absolutely fundamental for brain function - then this could have important implications for the treatment of major health problems such as stress, blood pressure, pain and depression."
Astrocytes, small non-neuronal star-shaped cells in the brain and spinal cord, are the principle source of brain lactate. The discovery that astrocytes communicate directly with neurones opens up a whole new area of pharmacology which has been little explored.
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The research was funded by the British Heart Foundation (BHF), the Medical Research Council (MRC), The Wellcome Trust and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).
Paper:
'Lactate-mediated glia-neuronal signaling in the mammalian brain' by F. Tang, S. Lane, A. Korsak, J.F.R. Paton, A.V. Gourine, S. Kasparov & A.G. Teschemacher, in Nature Communications DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4284
Since I didn't understand anything, my one question will be simple: should it be "principle" or "principal"?
PRs: Boston Marathon, 3:27, April 15th 2013
Cornwall Half-Marathon, 1:35, April 27th 2013
18 marathons, 18 BQs since 2010
Are we there, yet?
Since I didn't understand anything, my one question will be simple: should it be "principle" or "principal"? Astrocytes, small non-neuronal star-shaped cells in the brain and spinal cord, are the principle source of brain lactate. The discovery that astrocytes communicate directly with neurones opens up a whole new area of pharmacology which has been little explored.
That should be principal source, not principle. Principal as an adjective means primary or most important. As a noun it refers to the primary administrator such as the principal of a school. Principle is a basic truth or rule.
2024 Races:
03/09 - Livingston Oval Ultra 6-Hour, 22.88 miles
05/11 - D3 50K 05/25 - What the Duck 12-Hour
06/17 - 6 Days in the Dome 12-Hour.
That's what I thought. I guess it's a good thing that both you and I know this. It means that our neurones are fed enough lactate to keep them working well for our brain activity.
Will run for scenery.
I call shenanigans.
Anyone who bothers to check facts knows that brain cells don't do a damn thing until they receive the mother of all signaling molecules : caffeine.
Maybe the Half-n-half was sour ?
Stupid feet!
Stupid elbow!
I call shenanigans. Anyone who bothers to check facts knows that brain cells don't do a damn thing...
Anyone who bothers to check facts knows that brain cells don't do a damn thing...
FYP as it applies to most people.
LOL...
Researchers at the University of Bristol and University College London found that lactate – essentially lactic acid – causes cells in the brain to release more noradrenaline (norepinephrine in US English), a hormone and neurotransmitter which is fundamental for brain function. 1) Without it people can hardly wake up or focus on anything. Production of lactate can be triggered by muscle use, 2) which reinforces the connection between exercise and positive mental wellbeing.
Researchers at the University of Bristol and University College London found that lactate – essentially lactic acid – causes cells in the brain to release more noradrenaline (norepinephrine in US English), a hormone and neurotransmitter which is fundamental for brain function. 1) Without it people can hardly wake up or focus on anything.
Production of lactate can be triggered by muscle use, 2) which reinforces the connection between exercise and positive mental wellbeing.
To point 1, I have often referred to my morning workouts as my way of centering myself for the day. To point 2, I suppose this would explain why some people feel depressed when they are unable to run or workout.
It is ironic that lactate, a substance that was once vilified, could play a positive part in that.