Department of Neurosurgery, UCLA Brain Injury Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-7039, USA.
Epilepsy Res. 2012 Jul;100(3):218-23. doi: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2011.09.027. Epub 2011 Nov 21.
Cerebral metabolism of ketones is a normal part of the process of brain development. While the mature brain relies on glucose as a primary fuel source, metabolism of ketone bodies remains an alternative energy source under conditions of starvation. The neuroprotective properties of brain ketone metabolism make this alternative substrate a viable therapeutic option for various pathologies. Since the ability to revert to utilizing ketones as an alternative substrate is greatest in the younger post-weaned brain, this particular therapeutic approach remains an untapped resource particularly for pediatric pathological conditions.
酮体在大脑中的代谢是大脑发育过程中的正常部分。虽然成熟的大脑依赖葡萄糖作为主要燃料来源,但在饥饿条件下,酮体的代谢仍然是一种替代能源。大脑酮代谢的神经保护特性使这种替代底物成为各种病理情况下可行的治疗选择。由于在断奶后的年轻大脑中恢复利用酮体作为替代底物的能力最大,因此这种特殊的治疗方法仍然是一种未开发的资源,特别是对于儿科病理情况。