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Study Reveals Brain Uses ATP for Signaling, Maintenance

3/18/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA finds the brain uses two-thirds of its energy for neuron signaling and one-third for maintenance.
Wei Chen of the University of Minnesota led researchers using magnetic resonance spectroscopy to measure ATP in rat brains.
Inactive brains produced 50% less ATP.
The findings show ATP maintains ionic balance and prevents cell damage.

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Story summary

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA finds the brain uses two-thirds of its energy for neuron signaling and one-third for maintenance.
Wei Chen of the University of Minnesota led researchers using magnetic resonance spectroscopy to measure ATP in rat brains.
Inactive brains produced 50% less ATP.
The findings show ATP maintains ionic balance and prevents cell damage.