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ATP

·November 24, 2025·4 min read

Stress-Like Behaviors Traced to a Single ATP Circuit in the Brain

New research reveals that reduced ATP signaling in the hippocampus plays a causal role in both depression- and anxiety-like behaviors. In stressed male mice, ATP levels and the ATP-releasing protein connexin 43 were markedly lower.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 16, 2025·6 min read

Astrocytes Control Behavior Through Slow Brain Signaling

Astrocytes, once thought to be mere support cells, are now shown to play a leading role in regulating behavior by modulating neuronal activity through slow biochemical circuits. In zebrafish, researchers discovered that astrocytes respond to norepinephrine by releasing ATP, which is then broken down into adenosine—an important neuromodulator that signals neurons to stop swimming when progress is futile.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 15, 2025·4 min read

Spreading Brain Waves Drain Neuron Energy

Researchers have, for the first time, tracked how individual neurons lose and recover energy during spreading depolarizations — waves of electrical disturbance linked to brain disorders like stroke. Using genetically modified mice and real-time fluorescent microscopy, the team visualized adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels in neurons under both healthy and stroke-like conditions.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·October 9, 2024·5 min read

Why We Only Inherit Mitochondria from Moms

A recent study reveals why most animals, including humans, inherit mitochondrial DNA solely from their mothers, showing that retaining paternal mitochondria can harm development and health. In roundworms, when paternal mitochondria persist, it disrupts ATP production, affecting neurological, behavioral, and reproductive health.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·September 27, 2024·5 min read

Metabolic Disruptions in Parkinson’s Uncover New Treatment Potential

A new study has revealed critical metabolic impairments in Parkinson’s disease (PD), focusing on purine metabolism and ATP recycling. Researchers found that patients with PD have significantly lower levels of uric acid and other purine metabolites in their blood and cerebrospinal fluid, affecting energy production in the brain.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·April 15, 2024·5 min read

Childhood Trauma Impacts Muscle Function in Later Life

Adverse childhood experiences can detrimentally affect muscle function in older adults by impairing mitochondrial activity necessary for energy production. The study analyzed muscle biopsies from over 870 participants aged 70 and older, linking reported childhood adversities with reduced production of ATP, the energy currency of cells.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 30, 2023·4 min read

Brain Drain: Measuring the Energy Consumption of Our Thinking Minds

Our brain consumes a significant amount of energy, accounting for about 20% of the body's total energy consumption. Most of this energy is used for information processing. While research shows that increased mental activity does lead to slightly higher energy consumption, this increase is minimal, region-specific, and often offset by energy decreases in other areas. Feeling exhausted after mental activity is likely due to mental stress rather than actual energy depletion. Pacing yourself can help avoid mental overload, stress, and fatigue.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 26, 2023·4 min read

Why a High-Fat Diet Could Reduce the Brain’s Ability to Regulate Food Intake

Study reports in the short term, astrocytes regulate caloric intake by controlling the signaling pathway between the gut and brain. Eating high-fat or high-calorie diets disrupts this pathway.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·May 22, 2022·3 min read

ATP From Sensory Neuron-Interneuron Crosstalk Is Key to Spreading Inflammation in Rheumatoid Arthritis

In rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation in one joint is transmitted to other joints via the sensory neuron connections in the spinal cord, leading to inflammation in the other joints. Inflammation in one joint led to an increase in ATP in other joints, which triggered an increase of a signaling molecule that resulted in inflammation. Blocking the pathway reduced the spread of inflammation.