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Cortical Energy Budgeting

Meaning

Cortical Energy Budgeting is the physiological process by which the brain, specifically the cerebral cortex, allocates its finite metabolic resources to different neuronal and glial functions. This complex process prioritizes energy expenditure for essential activities like baseline maintenance, synaptic transmission, and active cognitive processing. Optimal budgeting ensures that high-demand executive functions receive adequate adenosine triphosphate or ATP supply without compromising essential cellular maintenance and repair mechanisms. Inefficient budgeting can lead to resource scarcity and cognitive fatigue.