Glycosylation (and O-GlcNac) is involved in formation of vesicular proteins, in the nucleolus (both transcriptional and translational activity), and with tau proteins, neurofilaments and tubulins. GlcNac is implicated in Type II diabetes and seems to be reduced in Cancer and Neurodegenerative diseases such as MS, ALS etc. Glucosamine seems to inhibit Lipopolysaccharides (that activate microglia).
Glucosamine injection given in the peri-infarct period (1 hr pre to 3 hr post) seems to be neuroprotective.