Do oligodendrocytes regulate axonal glucose uptake and consumption?

Neurons have high energy demands. In a recent study, Looser et al. identified oligodendrocyte Kir4.1 as the activity-dependent driver of oligodendrocyte glycolysis that ensures that lactate is supplied to active neurons. Given that oligodendrocyte Kir4.1 also influenced axonal glucose consumption and uptake, oligodendrocytes may play a broader role in neuronal metabolic regulation.