Age-related energetic reprogramming in glial cells: possible correlations with Parkinson’s disease

Glial cells populate the central nervous system and undertake indispensable roles in safeguarding and maintaining optimal neuronal performance. Throughout life, the brain undergoes inevitable changes that impact both neurons and glial cells. Concurrent with age-related neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD), metabolic dysfunctions in glial cells are consistently observed. Though widely debated, the idea of treating neurodegenerative disorders by manipulating brain bioenergetics warrants further exploration. This review discusses the distinctive metabolic characteristics of central nervous system (CNS) glia, the metabolic deviations that occur in glial cells in the aging brain, and the ramifications of metabolic rewiring within glia on neurodegenerative disorders, specifically PD. We focus on astrocytes and microglia due to their substantial transformations under aging and diseased states, known as reactivation. Special attention is given to clarifying the complex relationships between dysregulated glial energy metabolism and brain disorders. By discussing both classic theories and current advances in this field, we aim to shed light on promising therapeutic horizons anchored in the strategic calibration of glial metabolic configurations.