Trends Neurosci October 2013 PMID 23968694

Sugar for the brain: the role of glucose in physiological and pathological brain function.

Philipp Mergenthaler, Ute Lindauer, Gerald A Dienel, Andreas Meisel

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Mentions

104
Peak: 1 in May 2019
across 5 sources since May 2019

Extended reach

97,276
potential audience

Total likes

35

Video views

83

Mentions per month

May 2019 – Jul 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News63 articles
  • Blogs15 articles
  • Facebook14 posts
  • X / Twitter10 posts
  • YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions consistently highlight glucose as vital for brain health, referencing statements like 'glucose is vital for the proper functioning of mammalian brains' and debates about alternative energy sources like ketones, which shows an overall recognition of the article's importance. The tone oscillates between factual and clinical, reflecting a shared interest in understanding brain metabolism and its health implications.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions reinforce the importance of glucose for brain function, with some emphasizing its critical role, though a few acknowledge glucose's limitations and alternatives like ketones.

InterestModerate interest

The social discussions display moderate curiosity about the subject, with participants referencing the article's findings and commenting on its relevance to health and diet.

EngagementModerate engagement

Participants engage by referencing specific mechanisms, such as glucose regulation and its implications for diseases like diabetes, showing a moderate depth of understanding.

ImpactModerate impact

The focus on glucose's fundamental role suggests the discussions recognize its significance for brain health and disease, indicating a sense of impactful knowledge sharing.

Abstract in brief

  • The mammalian brain primarily relies on glucose as its main energy source, and proper regulation of glucose metabolism is essential for healthy brain function.
  • Disruptions in normal glucose metabolism and its interaction with cell death pathways are linked to various brain disorders, highlighting its importance in maintaining brain health.
  • Recent research has advanced our understanding of how glucose metabolism supports brain physiology and how failures in this system contribute to disease, emphasizing the cooperation between different cell types and systems.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
David Diamond
@LDLSkeptic · X

@KenDBerryMD The brain always uses glucose for energy, even in ketosis. w/o glucose ppl die. The brain ideally uses ketones + glucose or glucose alone, ultimately using lactate for energy. This paper overstates glucose for brain energy but is a good reference. https://t.co/sh7rNsDYLK

Sep 25, 2019 · 15 likes · 45,093 followers View post →
Zeptej se vědce
@Zeptej_se_vedce · X

Oct 13, 2024 · 10 likes · 16,629 followers View post →
André
@Synsei1 · X

@xeff @KasprzykRemi J'ai voulu vérifier tout ça. Pour le glucose. https://t.co/QB5Brw529Q

May 26, 2025 · 1 like · 2,820 followers View post →
Urvashi Bhagat
@Urvashi_Bhagat · X

Sugar for the brain: the role of glucose in physiological and pathological brain function. https://t.co/IKaHdwnuGx https://t.co/ph7Blyd52w

Dec 8, 2024 · 1 like · 1,266 followers View post →
Kim Gallant
@kimgal66 · X

@Bovidiva @DrLisaJ No, they can also use Ketones as an alternate, if food is not available. Google this Journal article: Sugar for the brain: the role of glucose in physiological and pathological brain function Philipp Mergenthaler, Ute Lindauer, [...], and Andreas Meisel That settles it then.

May 4, 2019 · 1 like · 1,091 followers View post →
Knusperfrosch
@schwanenwald · X

@DragonsHearthAu @BadMedicalTakes 2/2 Glucose is vital for the proper functioning of mammalian brains & (among all the Great Apes) esp for the human brain. Which makes diabetes so nasty. https://t.co/5tyHEGdvHM "Sugar for the brain: the role of glucose in physiological and pathological brain function" (2013) https://t.co/iYW1VkxXkF

Apr 5, 2024 · 1 like · 149 followers View post →

All mentions

Formazi FKM Unhas
@FormaziFKM_UH · X

Sumber: Mergenthaer, P., ET AL. 2013. Sugar for the brain: the role of glucose in physiological and pathological brain function. National institutes of health, 36(10), pp. 587-597. https://t.co/Iieg0JPQm1

Jun 11, 2025 · 1 like · 71 followers View post →
André
@Synsei1 · X

@xeff @KasprzykRemi J'ai voulu vérifier tout ça. Pour le glucose. https://t.co/QB5Brw529Q

May 26, 2025 · 1 like · 2,820 followers View post →
Urvashi Bhagat
@Urvashi_Bhagat · X

Sugar for the brain: the role of glucose in physiological and pathological brain function. https://t.co/IKaHdwnuGx https://t.co/ph7Blyd52w

Dec 8, 2024 · 1 like · 1,266 followers View post →
Zeptej se vědce
@Zeptej_se_vedce · X

Oct 13, 2024 · 10 likes · 16,629 followers View post →
Knusperfrosch
@schwanenwald · X

@DragonsHearthAu @BadMedicalTakes 2/2 Glucose is vital for the proper functioning of mammalian brains & (among all the Great Apes) esp for the human brain. Which makes diabetes so nasty. https://t.co/5tyHEGdvHM "Sugar for the brain: the role of glucose in physiological and pathological brain function" (2013) https://t.co/iYW1VkxXkF

Apr 5, 2024 · 1 like · 149 followers View post →
Food and Travel Nation ®
@FoodTravelUSA · X

@robertlufkinmd @KenDBerryMD The brain needs glucose to work efficiently. https://t.co/IhIFITh0Ua

Jan 27, 2024 · 28,014 followers View post →
Robert Olney
@boretrol · X

Sugar for the brain: the role of glucose in physiological and pathological brain function https://t.co/vQCcnFcpoe

Jun 20, 2021 · 1,699 followers View post →
Charles Thomas Wild
@CharlesThomasW7 · X

Sugar for the brain: the role of glucose in physiological and ...www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov › pmc › articles › PMC3900881 Aug 20, 2013 - The mammalian brain depends upon glucose as its main source of energy, and tight regulation of glucose metabolism is critical for brain ...

Aug 18, 2020 · 362 followers View post →
David Diamond
@LDLSkeptic · X

@KenDBerryMD The brain always uses glucose for energy, even in ketosis. w/o glucose ppl die. The brain ideally uses ketones + glucose or glucose alone, ultimately using lactate for energy. This paper overstates glucose for brain energy but is a good reference. https://t.co/sh7rNsDYLK

Sep 25, 2019 · 15 likes · 45,093 followers View post →
Kim Gallant
@kimgal66 · X

@Bovidiva @DrLisaJ No, they can also use Ketones as an alternate, if food is not available. Google this Journal article: Sugar for the brain: the role of glucose in physiological and pathological brain function Philipp Mergenthaler, Ute Lindauer, [...], and Andreas Meisel That settles it then.

May 4, 2019 · 1 like · 1,091 followers View post →