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Brain Energy Substrate

Meaning

The Brain Energy Substrate refers to the primary molecules the central nervous system utilizes to fuel its intense metabolic demands, ensuring continuous neuronal activity and maintaining cognitive function. Glucose is the historically recognized primary substrate, yet the brain exhibits significant metabolic flexibility, capable of utilizing alternative fuels like ketone bodies and lactate under various physiological conditions. This substrate preference profoundly influences neurotransmitter synthesis, synaptic plasticity, and overall mental acuity. Understanding the brain’s energy supply is paramount in hormonal health, as endocrine signals directly modulate glucose and ketone transport across the blood-brain barrier.