Brain metabolic function

Brain metabolic function refers to the complex set of biochemical processes that provide neurons and glial cells with the energy and metabolites necessary for their function, growth, and survival. The brain is highly metabolically active, with glucose as its primary energy source, and relies on tightly regulated pathways—such as glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation—for ATP production. The distribution and regulation of metabolic activity differ across brain regions and cell types, with specialized transporters (e.g., GLUT4) and metabolic enzymes. Disruptions in brain metabolic function are associated with diseases including neurodegeneration, cognitive impairment, and cancer. Brain metabolic imaging, such as PET with [^18F]FDG, is used clinically to evaluate regional brain metabolism, for example, to distinguish tumor progression from post-treatment changes or to assess neurodegenerative diseases[1][3][4].

Other names

brain metabolismcerebral metabolismneurometabolic functionmetabolic brain function