Abstract Neurons are highly specialized cells that require large amounts of energy to function. Glial cells support neurons in many ways, including metabolically. In Drosophila, neuronal glycolysis has been found to be dispensable, as long as glial glycolysis is intact, a finding supporting a conservation of the astrocyte-neuron-lactate shuttle (i.e. ANLS)-hypothesis. Neurons use glia-derived lactate to fuel their highly oxidative metabolism. Nevertheless, they readily take up glucose.
