Energy-Efficient Action Potentials in Hippocampal Mossy Fibers
Abstract
Minimizing Brain Energy Consumption: How much energy is actually required to generate neuronal activity and information processing? By combining direct recordings at physiological temperatures from mossy fiber axons in rat brain slices with modeling and simulation approaches, Alle et al. (p. 1405 ; see the Perspective by Magistretti ) found that the regenerative action potentials in nonmyelinated axons of mammalian hippocampus are remarkably energy efficient. The data indicate a surprisingly minor contribution of action potentials to the entire energy expenditure of neural information processing.
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During an action potential, extracellular Na+ enters the neuronal cytosol, followed by efflux of intracellular K+.
“During an action potential, extracellular Na⁺ enters the neuronal cytosol, followed by the efflux of intracellular K⁺.”
From Energy paradox in REM sleep: balancing supply and consumption in brain metabolism (2026) · cites this paper as [6]
The firing of an action potential disturbs the ionic environment, requiring energy to restore homeostasis.
“The firing of an action potential disturbs the ionic environment, requiring energy to restore homeostasis6.”
From Energy paradox in REM sleep: balancing supply and consumption in brain metabolism (2026) · cites this paper as [6]
To restore ionic balance, Na+/K+-ATPase actively pumps Na+ out and K+ in against concentration gradients using ATP.
“To restore the ionic balance to the basal state, the Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase actively pumps Na⁺ out of the cell and K⁺ back in, working against their respective concentration gradients using ATP as an energy source.”
From Energy paradox in REM sleep: balancing supply and consumption in brain metabolism (2026) · cites this paper as [6]
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- Authors
- Alle, H., Roth, A., & Geiger, J. R. P.
- Affiliations
- Max Planck Institute for Brain Research (DE)
- University College London (GB)
- Venue
- Science
- Published
- 2009-09-11
- Volume
- 325
- Issue
- 5946
- Pages
- 1405-1408
- ISSN
- 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
- 1095-9203
- OpenAlex
- W2037156065
- Cited by
- 429
- References
- 23
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 29 · 2022: 31 · 2021: 22 · 2020: 34 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 35 · 2017: 26 · 2016: 31 · 2015: 28 · 2014: 25 · 2013: 21 · 2012: 34
- FWCI
- 12.20
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Science (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- UCL Discovery (University College London) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/C010841/1)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Ion channel regulation and function
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural dynamics and brain function
- Keywords
- action potential, mossy fibers, hippocampus, energy efficiency, sodium current, potassium currents, sodium channels, potassium channels, ionic conductance, energy balance
- MeSH terms
- Action Potentials, Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase, Animals, Axons, Energy Metabolism, Synaptic Transmission, Potassium, Sodium, Potassium Channels, Sodium Channels, Rats, Wistar, Presynaptic Terminals, Patch-Clamp Techniques, Mossy Fibers, Hippocampal, Rats
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