AMPK activation in this manner prevents neurons from degenerating during ischemia or ischemia/reperfusion by initiating autophagy [67, 74], inducing translocation of glucose transporter 3 (GLUT3) [71], and promoting higher mitochondrial membrane potential to maintain Ca+2 homeostasis [75] or directly decrease AMPK levels in lethal ischemia [60]. The gene discussed is SLC2A3; the disease is ischemia.