The Isoenergetic Brain: The Idea and Some Implications

Abstract

The brain is often considered an ensemble of clusters of independently interacting neurons. Here the brain is proposed as an isoenergetic structure having little energy barriers that limit the distribution of neuronal information, thereby facilitating unitary brain functioning. Isoenergicity is achieved and maintained by energy metabolism and must be seen as an evolutionary conserved property. Isoenergicity enables efficient coordination of neural activities, thus facilitating, among others, fast access to memory. One implication is the virtual complete dissociation of energy metabolism from higher brain functioning. Another implication is a supervening private space-time configuration that is continuously (re)constructed during life.