Carbohydrate Metabolism in the Central Nervous System

Glucose is central to the energy metabolism of most mammalian cells and it is the primary and obligate fuel for the mammalian brain. Cerebral glucose metabolism is predominantly aerobic, necessitating a continual and high level of oxygen delivery. Unlike peripheral tissues such as heart and muscle, the brain is unable to access other energetic fuels, that is, circulating fatty acids and triglycerides, due to the restricted movement of these compounds across the blood-brain barrier. This article will present a review of cerebral glucose metabolism and the limitations and demands specific to the mammalian brain.