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Mathematical Modeling of the Human Energy Metabolism Based on the Selfish Brain Theory

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Advances in Systems Biology

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 736))

Abstract

Deregulations in the human energy metabolism may cause diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The origins of these pathologies are fairly unknown. The key role of the brain is the regulation of the complex whole body energy metabolism. The Selfish Brain Theory identifies the priority of brain energy supply in the competition for available energy resources within the organism. Here, we review mathematical models of the human energy metabolism supporting central aspects of the Selfish Brain Theory. First, we present a dynamical system modeling the whole body energy metabolism. This model takes into account the two central control mechanisms of the brain, i.e., allocation and appetite. Moreover, we present mathematical models of regulatory subsystems. We examine a neuronal model which specifies potential elements of the brain to sense and regulate cerebral energy content. We investigate a model of the HPA system regulating the allocation of energy within the organism. Finally, we present a robust modeling approach of appetite regulation. All models account for a systemic understanding of the human energy metabolism and thus do shed light onto defects causing metabolic diseases.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Kerstin M. Oltmanns for her invaluable physiological expertise in the development of the presented models. We also thank the reviewer for his/her thorough review and highly appreciate the comments and suggestions, which significantly contributed to improving the quality of the publication. This work was supported by the Graduate School for Computing in Medicine and Life Sciences funded by the German Research Foundation [DFG GSC 235/1].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mathematics, Texas State University, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, TX, 78666, USA

    Matthias Chung

  2. Graduate School for Computing in Medicine and Life Sciences, Institute of Mathematics and Image Computing, University of Lübeck, Maria-Goeppert-Strasse 1a, 23562, Lübeck, Germany

    Britta Göbel

Authors
  1. Matthias Chung
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  2. Britta Göbel
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Matthias Chung or Britta Göbel .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Crichton Street 10, Edinburgh, EH89AB, UK

    Igor I. Goryanin

  2. School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh, EH93JR, UK

    Andrew B. Goryachev

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Chung, M., Göbel, B. (2012). Mathematical Modeling of the Human Energy Metabolism Based on the Selfish Brain Theory. In: Goryanin, I.I., Goryachev, A.B. (eds) Advances in Systems Biology. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 736. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-7210-1_25

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