Effects of Lactate on Brain Carbohydrate Metabolism in Healthy Aging

Summary

The brain's primary source of fuel is glucose. Unfortunately, the brain's ability to use glucose declines during normal aging. This decline in brain glucose metabolism makes it vulnerable to cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. The brain can use another fuel source - lactate - which becomes available to the brain during exercise. The investigators have discovered that when lactate fuels the brain, brain glucose metabolism also improves. Essentially, from a metabolic angle, the brain appears younger. Recently, the investigators have shown that lactate - even in the absence of exercise - stimulates this beneficial effect on the brain. The investigators propose to compare the effects of lactate in healthy young and older adults to test whether these beneficial lactate-mediated effects persist throughout the lifespan, thereby providing a blueprint to restore youthful brain glucose metabolism.

Description

Eligibility

Age range

20–80 years

Sex

All

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Interventions

• Biological
  Sodium lactate infusion

  Sodium lactate will be infused to target circulating concentrations between 4-6 mmol/L

• Other
  Exercise-induced hyperlactatemia

  Cycling will be performed at an intensity to increase circulating lactate to 4-6 mmol/L

Location