Brain pH and lactate

What is brain pH and lactate?

Maintenance of an adequate pH balance in all tissues and organs is important for good health. Decreased levels of brain pH are associated with increased levels of lactate, and vise versa. Lactate is an acidic source of fuel that is constantly generated and consumed in the brain. An imbalance in pH, particularly a shift toward high acidity, is associated with numerous physical and mental disorders.

What is the evidence for brain pH and lactate in people with schizophrenia?

Moderate quality evidence suggests no significant differences in brain pH between people with schizophrenia and controls. Lower quality evidence is unclear of changes in lactate concentrations.

October 2020

Last updated at: 10:19 pm, 20th October 2020
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