Emerging Role of Fat Particles in Treating Metabolic Brain Disorders

Recent research from the University of Queensland has challenged the traditional view that neuronal activity in the brain relies solely on sugars for energy. A groundbreaking study led by Dr. Merja Joensuu, published in Nature Metabolism, reveals that fats also play a crucial role in powering neurons responsible for thought, movement, and other brain functions.

The study highlights that neurons utilize small fat molecules, known as saturated free fatty acids, produced by the enzyme DDHD2, to generate energy necessary for neuronal communication. This discovery provides new insights into the brain's metabolic processes and opens up potential avenues for treating neurodegenerative and metabolic brain disorders.

Researchers focused on hereditary spastic paraplegia 54 (HSP54), a condition linked to the dysfunction of the DDHD2 gene, which disrupts the brain’s fat balance and impairs neural function. They found that in neurons with defective DDHD2, supplementing with activated fatty acids restored energy production and normal neuronal activity, even when sugar-based approaches failed.

This paradigm shift suggests that healthy neurons produce saturated fatty acids internally to fuel their activity. In disorders like HSP54, replenishing these fats can potentially repair neuronal energy pathways, offering hope for previously untreatable neurodegenerative diseases.

Further studies demonstrated that fatty acid supplements could be effective in animal models, reversing energy deficits. This finding points toward the potential development of clinical therapies based on fatty acid supplementation for brain diseases characterized by metabolic dysfunction.

The research team plans to advance this work by assessing the safety and therapeutic efficacy of fatty acid treatments in preclinical trials, aiming to explore their application in various metabolic brain disorders, including Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative conditions.

This discovery not only broadens our understanding of brain energy metabolism but also proposes a novel approach to tackling complex neurological diseases through metabolic intervention.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-fat-particles-key-metabolic-brain.html