NEUROBIOLOGY LAB 

The Neurobiology Lab is a CIBERNED and Biobizkaia Research Team lead by Dr. Carlos Matute, located at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) and at the Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience.

We investigate novel functions of brain myelin, with a particular focus on its role in energy metabolism across health, aging, and neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease. Our research seeks to understand how myelin-derived fatty acids contribute to fueling brain activity, and whether the availability and utilization of these energy substrates change during healthy and pathological aging. Using both in vitro and in vivo models, we examine how myelin lipids support axonal and synaptic function under basal conditions and during metabolic stress, including hypoglycemia and endurance exercise. We further explore the structural, functional, and cognitive consequences of energy deficits—and how these may be mitigated by replenishment with fatty acids. Our work integrates state-of-the-art tools to investigate the full range of glial cells, myelin, and neurons. Ultimately, our goal is to uncover molecular mechanisms and targets that can be harnessed to develop new therapeutic strategies.