Fat-fueled neuron discovery could unlock new treatments for brain disease

Researchers from the University of Queensland and the University of Helsinki discovered that neurons can use fat as an energy source and produce their own fats by recycling cell components when energy demand increases, a process dependent on the DDHD2 protein. This finding challenges the belief that neurons rely solely on sugar for energy. In Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia 54 (HSP54), where DDHD2 malfunctions, neurons cannot generate necessary fats, leading to communication problems between nerve cells and early onset movement and thinking difficulties in children. Laboratory experiments showed that treating damaged neurons with fatty acid supplements restored their energy production within 48 hours. Researchers are now testing the safety and effectiveness of fatty acid-based treatments in pre-clinical models for potential human use.

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