Brain energy metabolism and the physiological basis of the haemodynamic response

This chapter emphasizes the general principles of brain metabolism and the haemodynamic response to neuronal activity. The precise mechanisms responsible for the links between brain energy metabolism and brain work are not well defined. The chapter gives a detailed description of the nature of the metabolic work for information transfer in the brain, which provides an understanding of the link between changes in energy metabolism affecting physiological parameters such as blood flow and neuronal activity. It proceeds with a discussion of biochemical pathways that provide energy for brain work and also discusses the role of astrocytes in the regulation of the metabolic response to neuronal excitation. The chapter attempts to identify an alternative regulator that changes in response to work and influences the rate of energy metabolism.