E12 Neuronal energy metabolism

Title

The electrical functioning of the neuron (generation and propagation of action potentials, ion pumping, synaptic transmission) has an energetic cost sustained by the production of ATP through glycolysis and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, both modeled with Michaelis-Menten type kinetics based on the availability of glucose and oxygen. The astrocyte-neuron lactate shuttle (ANLS) describes a net flow of lactate produced in the astrocyte towards the neuron, an energy substrate complementary to glucose. The demand for ATP scales with electrical activity, since the maintenance of dissipated ionic gradients during action potentials (E02) is the main consumer of energy. The balance between ATP production and demand determines whether the cell maintains a stable energy state, quantified by the Atkinson energy load index, relevant to understanding conditions of metabolic stress or ischemia (linking to the A series).

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