Characterizing brain metabolic function ex vivo with acute mouse slice punches

Mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic reprogramming are implicated in a variety of neurological disorders. Here, we present a protocol that enables complex profiling of brain metabolic function using acute mouse brain slices ex vivo. Utilizing differential metabolic conditions, substrates, and inhibitors, this protocol can be broadly applied to determine metabolic shift or reprogramming upon genetic manipulations, pathological insults, or therapeutic interventions and could thus further the understanding of the dynamic role of energy metabolism in brain physiological function and diseases. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Qi et al. (2021).