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[18F]FDG PET signal is driven by astroglial glutamate transport.

Nature neuroscience (2017-01-31)
Eduardo R Zimmer, Maxime J Parent, Débora G Souza, Antoine Leuzy, Clotilde Lecrux, Hyoung-Ihl Kim, Serge Gauthier, Luc Pellerin, Edith Hamel, Pedro Rosa-Neto
PMID28135241
ABSTRACT

Contributions of glial cells to neuroenergetics have been the focus of extensive debate. Here we provide positron emission tomography evidence that activation of astrocytic glutamate transport via the excitatory amino acid transporter GLT-1 triggers widespread but graded glucose uptake in the rodent brain. Our results highlight the need for a reevaluation of the interpretation of [18F]FDG positron emission tomography data, whereby astrocytes would be recognized as contributing to the [18F]FDG signal.