Astrocyte-Neuron Lactate Transport Is Required for Long-Term Memory Formation

SummaryWe report that, in the rat hippocampus, learning leads to a significant increase in extracellular lactate levels that derive from glycogen, an energy reserve selectively localized in astrocytes. Astrocytic glycogen breakdown and lactate release are essential for long-term but not short-term memory formation, and for the maintenance of long-term potentiation (LTP) of synaptic strength elicited in vivo. Disrupting the expression of the astrocytic lactate transporters monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4) or MCT1 causes amnesia, which, like LTP impairment, is rescued by L-lactate but not equicaloric glucose. Disrupting the expression of the neuronal lactate transporter MCT2 also leads to amnesia that is unaffected by either L-lactate or glucose, suggesting that lactate import into neurons is necessary for long-term memory. Glycogenolysis and astrocytic lactate transporters are also critical for the induction of molecular changes required for memory formation, including the induction of phospho-CREB, Arc, and phospho-cofilin. We conclude that astrocyte-neuron lactate transport is required for long-term memory formation.

Graphical AbstractFigure optionsDownload high-quality image (483 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Learning results in glycogenolysis-dependent lactate increase in the hippocampus
► Inhibiting glycogenolysis in the hippocampus blocks long-term memory and LTP
► Knockdown of astrocytic lactate transporters abolishes long-term memory
► Knockdown of neuronal lactate transporter abolishes long-term memory