IISER MOHALI

Abstract: Neurons under physiological conditions do not store glycogen, although they retain the enzymatic machinery necessary for its synthesis in an inactive state. In contrast, neurons in degenerating brains frequently accumulate glycogen, a phenomenon whose functional relevance has remained elusive. Recent evidence presents a dichotomous view: some studies implicate neuronal glycogen as neurotoxic, whereas others suggest a neuroprotective role. In this presentation, I will draw primarily on findings from our group to examine both the detrimental and protective aspects of neuronal glycogen and its biosynthetic machinery. I will further discuss how defects in glycogen metabolism contribute to neurodegeneration and consider potential therapeutic strategies to mitigate these effects.