About this episode

The episode discusses a model of metabolic networks in the brain with guest Polina Shichkova, focusing on ion pumps and energy production.

Neurons need particular sodium and potassium concentration gradients across their membranes to function. These gradients are set up by so-called ion pumps which require energy stored in ATP molecules to run. ATP is the common energy currency in the brain and is produced from nutrients delivered by the blood by a complicated set of chemical reactions known as a metabolic network. Today's guest has just published a comprehensive model of such a network and explains how it can shed light on differences between young and brains.

People in this episode

Host: Gaute Einevoll

Guest: Polina Shichkova

Topics covered

• metabolic networks
• brain function
• ion pumps
• sodium and potassium gradients
• energy production
• neuroscience

Keywords

• metabolic networks
• brain
• ion pumps
• ATP
• sodium
• potassium
• neuroscience
• energy production

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: ATP, brain

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