Timothy Ryan: Cell Bioenergetics and Calcium Signaling in Synapse Function and Dysfunction

In this episode I talk with Weill Cornell Medicine professor Tim Ryan about the local regulation of energy metabolism in synapses. Tim and his colleagues use high resolution imaging of fluorescent probes that enable measurements of ATP and calcium in presynaptic terminals and postsynaptic dendrites of neurons in which energy substrates are manipulated. His lab has made several novel findings that refute previous assumptions concerning energy metabolism in neurons. Examples, include that neurons can store glycogen and triglycerides, and that free fatty acids and the ketone beta-hydroxybutyrate can fuel synapses and support neurotransmission. We also talk about gaps in understanding of the mechanistic links between calcium influx and energy metabolism in synapses, and the involvement of impaired synaptic energy metabolism in aging and neurodegenerative disorders. LINKS Tim Ryan laboratory page: https://sites.google.com/site/ryanlab... Articles https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles... https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles... https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles... https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles...