Does Glial Lipid Dysregulation Alter Sleep in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease?

Authors

Lindsey D Goodman
Matthew J Moulton
Guang Lin
Hugo J Bellen

Language

English

Publication Date

10-1-2024

Journal

Trends in Molecular Medicine

DOI

10.1016/j.molmed.2024.04.010

PMID

38755043

PMCID

PMC11466711

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

10-1-2025

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Author MSS

Abstract

In this opinion article, we discuss potential connections between sleep disturbances observed in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) and the dysregulation of lipids in the brain. Research using Drosophila has highlighted the role of glial-mediated lipid metabolism in sleep and diurnal rhythms. Relevant to AD, the formation of lipid droplets in glia, which occurs in response to elevated neuronal reactive oxygen species (ROS), is required for sleep. In disease models, this process is disrupted, arguing a connection to sleep dysregulation. Relevant to PD, the degradation of neuronally synthesized glucosylceramides by glia requires glucocerebrosidase (GBA, a PD-associated risk factor) and this regulates sleep. Loss of GBA in glia causes an accumulation of glucosylceramides and neurodegeneration. Overall, research primarily using Drosophila has highlighted how dysregulation of glial lipid metabolism may underlie sleep disturbances in neurodegenerative diseases.

Keywords

Humans, Neuroglia, Animals, Alzheimer Disease, Lipid Metabolism, Parkinson Disease, Sleep, Sleep Wake Disorders, Brain, Disease Models, Animal, Glucosylceramidase, Drosophila, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, lipids, sleep, glia

Published Open-Access

yes

Recommended Citation

Goodman, Lindsey D; Moulton, Matthew J; Lin, Guang; et al., "Does Glial Lipid Dysregulation Alter Sleep in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease?" (2024). Duncan NRI Faculty and Staff Publications. 144.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/duncar_nri_pub/144