Lactate Dehydrogenase

Abstract

Abstract Glucose is transported into neurons and is used as an energy source. It is also transported into astrocytes and is converted to lactate, which is then released to neurons and is used as another energy source. The latter is called the astrocyte–neuron lactate shuttle. The lactate shuttle is a metabolic pathway, but it also plays important roles in neuronal activities and brain functions. Our studies have revealed that lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), a metabolic enzyme in the lactate shuttle, is involved in epilepsy and the ketogenic diet. Interestingly, LDH is inhibited by stiripentol, a clinically used antiepileptic drug for Dravet syndrome. This chapter provides an overview of electrical regulation by the ketogenic diet and astrocyte–neuron lactate shuttle, and then introduces LDH as a metabolic target in epilepsy.