How does sugar enter neurons if they don't use insulin?

Question

I heard somewhere that as opposed to other cells, neurons do not use insulin to get their sugar supply.Why is that?What is the alternative mechanism? I assume sugar can't just enter the cell without some kind of help from a protein, is that true?

Answer 1

Hi!

To begin insulin does not help in the absorption of sugar, it just accelerates the absorption, so hyperglycemia does not occur. However, neurons do have glut 1 and glut 3 receptors which help with the uptake of glucose.

Hope this helps!