Astrocytic GLUT1 & glucose uptake
How altered glucose transport in astrocytes affects brain energy balance and contributes to neurodegeneration.
Studying Alzheimer's
disease
through astrocyte metabolism
Exploring how astrocytic metabolic signalling shapes the neuronal environment in the early stages of neurodegeneration.
Our Approach
Three questions.
Three questions.
One scientific answer.
Alzheimer's Disease
A leading neurodegenerative disorder in which early metabolic changes may contribute to neuronal dysfunction long before memory loss appears.
Astrocyte Biology
Glial cells positioned between blood vessels and neurons, acting as metabolic sensors and active regulators of brain energy balance.
Brain Metabolism
A coordinated multicellular process in which neurons, astrocytes and other brain cells work together to sustain function and resilience.
Research Focus
What we investigate
Astrocytic hypermetabolism in early AD
Whether astrocytes enter an early hypermetabolic state before the hypometabolism observed in advanced Alzheimer's disease.
Early biomarkers of astrocyte dysfunction
Identifying metabolic changes in brain tissue, cerebrospinal fluid and blood that may reveal disease before symptoms appear.
Metabolism-based therapeutic discovery
Developing new therapeutic approaches by targeting astrocyte metabolism and related signalling pathways.
Insulin resistance & neurodegeneration
Understanding how impaired insulin signalling in astrocytes disrupts energy homeostasis and accelerates disease progression.
50+Publications
4K+Citations
h30H-index
Lab History
Key Milestones
Milestone 7
I receive the prestigious European Research Council Consolidator Grant.
Milestone 6
I receive the prestigious grant from the Pasqual Maragall Foundation.
Milestone 5
We publish the group’s first major paper on astrocytic GLUT1, establishing ourselves as a key research group in the study of astrocyte metabolism.
Milestone 4
I obtain my second grant from the Spanish Ministry.
Milestone 3
receive my first international grant from the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (NARSAD).
Milestone 2
After a long struggle, I obtain my first competitive research project funded by the Spanish Ministry. This marks the beginning of my first study on the impact of astrocytic metabolic changes in Alzheimer's Disease
Milestone 1
I begin my journey as Principal Investigator (PI) of my own research group
Research Portfolio
Active & Recent Projects
Active
European Research Council (ERC Consolidator)
Astrocytic Metabolic Reprogramming as a Therapeutic Target for Alzheimer’sDisease (HyperAstroMet)
Alzheimer's disease (AD) represents a growing public health challenge, with its prevalence steadily increasing profoundly affecting both patients and their…
€2.000.000
Active
Fundación Pasqual Maragall
Selective Targeting of Astrocytes: Metabolic Reprogramming in Alzheimer’s Disease (STAR-AD)
Astrocytes are brain cells that help, support and protect neurons, ensuring the brain functions properly by providing energy and defending…
€800.000
Active
Subprograma Estatal de Generación del Conocimiento (AEI)
Impaired insulin signaling in astrocytes asan early event in Alzheimer’s disease (AstroDiabetes)
The crucial role of brain insulin action in the regulation of systemic metabolism, energy balance, and glucose homeostasis, as well…
€312.500
Completed
Subprograma Estatal de Generación del Conocimiento (Micinn)
Study of astrocytic IR-GLUT1 communication in Alzheimer’s Disease (AIRGlut)
The availability of glucose in the central nervous system is essential for neuronal function, and brain glucose levels have been…
€190.000
Completed
Brain and Behaviour research foundation (NARSAD young investigator research grant)
Impact of astrocytic insulin receptor on cognitive deficiencies associatedto neuropsychiatric disorders
This project investigates how insulin resistance in the brain may link age-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s…
€63.000
Completed
Subprograma Estatal de Generacion del Conocimiento (Micinn)
Deciphering the Role of Astrocytic GLUT1 in Alzheimer’s Disease
Cerebral blood vessels are composed of endothelial cells that interact closely with astrocytes, regulating the transport of nutrients such as…
€196.262
News & Outreach
From the Lab
Latest
Maite Solas, a researcher at the University of Navarra, explains that her team is trying to approach Alzheimer’s Disease from a different perspective, understanding it as a disorder linked to metabolism
Maite Solas focuses her research on detecting early changes in Alzheimer's Disease and finding ways to slow its progression. Her work studies…
Maite Solas, a researcher at the University of Navarra, has received the Pasqual Maragall grant for her studies focused on the prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Maite Solas, a researcher and professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Navarra, has received a grant from…
We awarded a grant from the Pasqual Maragall Foundation Researchers Programme to advance the understanding of Alzheimer’s Disease.
The Pasqual Maragall Foundation presented in Pamplona one of the selected projects from the third edition of the Pasqual Maragall Researchers Programme…
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Join our research
We are always looking for motivated students, postdocs, and collaborators passionate about neuroscience and brain metabolism. Reach out — good hypothesis start with a good conversations.