Real-Time Imaging Reveals Neuron Energy Dynamics During Stroke-Like Events

A groundbreaking study conducted by scientists at Leipzig University’s Carl Ludwig Institute for Physiology has provided unprecedented insight into how individual neurons in the brain manage their energy reserves during spreading depolarizations—waves of electrical activity associated with various neurological disorders, including stroke. Utilizing a novel mouse model engineered to produce a fluorescent sensor protein within neurons, researchers visually tracked ATP levels, the primary energy currency of cells, in real time.

The study employed high-resolution fluorescence microscopy to observe how ATP concentrations in single neurons fluctuate during spreading depolarizations. These waves involve a sequential depolarization that echoes a 'short circuit' within neural circuits, often leading to tissue damage post-stroke. Prior to this research, it was unclear how ATP, critical for neuron survival and function, behaved during these dynamic waves.

Lead researcher Dr. Karl Schoknecht explained, 'Our high-resolution approach offers the first detailed view of how neurons lose and recover energy during acute episodes of energy mismatch, such as in stroke scenarios.' The findings reveal that energy depletion during spreading depolarizations is uneven, with some neurons experiencing more significant ATP loss, especially under conditions mimicking ischemia.

Interestingly, most neurons retained the ability to restore their ATP levels once glucose and oxygen supplies were replenished. This suggests that energy collapse can be reversible if timely intervention occurs. To mimic stroke-like conditions, the team removed glucose and oxygen from the nutrient solution, inducing energy deprivation while concurrently recording depolarization waves through electrophysiological methods.

The results highlight that even healthy brain tissue undergoes a temporary ATP drop during spreading depolarizations, which becomes markedly worse during ischemic states. The accelerated ATP loss under energy-compromised conditions underscores the importance of rapid intervention in stroke management.

This research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, provides critical insights into brain energy metabolism during acute neurological events and offers a foundation for developing therapies aimed at preserving neuronal energy reserves during strokes.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-real-imaging-neuron-energy-conditions.html