Spatio-temporal heterogeneity in hippocampal metabolism in control and epilepsy conditions

ABSTRACT The hippocampus’s dorsal and ventral parts are involved in different operative circuits, which functions vary in time during the night and day cycle. These functions are altered in epilepsy. Since energy production is tailored to function, we hypothesized that energy production would be space- and time-dependent in the hippocampus and that such organizing principle would be modified in epilepsy. Using metabolic imaging and metabolite sensing ex vivo , we show that the ventral hippocampus favors aerobic glycolysis over oxidative phosphorylation as compared to the dorsal part in the morning in control mice. In the afternoon, aerobic glycolysis is decreased, and oxidative phosphorylation increased. In the dorsal hippocampus, the metabolic activity varies less between these two times but is weaker than in the ventral. Thus, the energy metabolism is different along the dorsoventral axis and changes as a function of time in control mice. In an experimental model of epilepsy, we find a large alteration of such spatio-temporal organization. In addition to a general hypometabolic state, the dorsoventral difference disappears in the morning, when seizure probability is low. In the afternoon, when seizure probability is high, the aerobic glycolysis is enhanced in both parts, the increase being stronger in the ventral area. We suggest that energy metabolism is tailored to the functions performed by brain networks, which vary over time. In pathological conditions, the alterations of these general rules may contribute to network dysfunctions. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The dorsal part of the hippocampus is involved in spatial learning and memory processes, while the ventral is implicated in motivational and emotional behavior. These functions change during the night and day cycle, and they are altered in epilepsy. Here we show that energy production (glycolysis versus oxidative phosphorylation) varies along the dorsoventral axis in a circadian manner ex vivo in control mice. These rules are altered in experimental epilepsy. Thus, energy production may be tailored to the function performed by hippocampal subdivisions and to the time of the day. Alterations in epilepsy may contribute to seizure generation and cognitive deficits.