File:Supply chain wikipedia Abb.jpg

Fig. 1: Energy supply chain of the "Selfish Brain". If the ATP concentration drops in the nerve cells of the brain, a cerebral mechanism is (pull 1) set in motion which increases the energy flux directed from the body to the brain according to the "Energy on demand" principle. (solid arrows show stimulation, interrupted arrows inhibition; yellow means: "belongs to the controlling brain parts "). If the energy content in the body falls (blood, adipose tissue), the falling glucose and the falling adipose tissue hormone leptin induce another cerebral mechanism (pull 2). This entails that more energy is absorbed from the immediate environment into the body (ingestion behavior). When the available supplies in the immediate vicinity disappear, a further cerebral mechanism (pull 3) initiates moving and exploration, i.e. foraging for food. The glucostatic and the lipostatic theories describe the second step in this supply chain (area with dark grey background). The "Selfish brain" theory links to the two traditional theo-ries and expands them by considering the brain as an end consumer in a continuous supply chain (light gray).

Copyright-Holder: Prof. Dr. Achim Peters, Luebeck, Germany (achim.peters@uk-sh.de)