Lipid droplets in the nervous system

Lipid droplets are dynamic intracellular lipid storage organelles that respond to the physiological state of cells. In addition to controlling cell metabolism, they play a protective role for many cellular stressors, including oxidative stress. Despite prior descriptions of lipid droplets appearing in the brain as early as a century ago, only recently has the role of lipid droplets in cells found in the brain begun to be understood. Lipid droplet functions have now been described for cells of the nervous system in the context of development, aging, and an increasing number of neuropathologies. Here, we review the basic mechanisms of lipid droplet formation, turnover, and function and discuss how these mechanisms enable lipid droplets to function in different cell types of the nervous system under healthy and pathological conditions.

Automated summary

Lipid droplets are dynamic organelles in cells that store lipids and respond to the cellular physiological state, providing protection against stressors like oxidative stress. Recent research has started to uncover the role of lipid droplets in brain cells, particularly in the nervous system, with descriptions now available regarding their functions in development, aging, and various neuropathologies.