Energy balance
In older adults and those with insulin resistance, brain glucose uptake is significantly reduced (hypometabolism) in specific regions (frontal, temporal, parietal cortex), creating an energy deficit that precedes cognitive decline and Alzheimer's Disease.
If you are over 65 or have metabolic risk factors like insulin resistance, your brain may be using less glucose even if your memory seems fine. This 'energy deficit' is a known precursor to cognitive decline. While this paper doesn't prescribe a fix, it highlights that maintaining metabolic health (managing blood sugar/insulin) is critical for brain fuel supply in later life.
We propose that brain energy deficit is an important pre-symptomatic feature of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) that requires closer attention... Glucose uptake is lower in the frontal cortex of people >65 years-old despite cognitive scores that are normal for age... regional deficit in brain glucose uptake is present in adults <40 years-old who have genetic or lifestyle risk factors for AD but in whom cognitive decline has not yet started.
Why this rating
Based on multiple PET-FDG studies and arterio-venous difference methods cited, showing consistent regional hypometabolism across different risk groups.
Source
Can Ketones Help Rescue Brain Fuel Supply in Later Life? Implications for Cognitive Health during Aging and the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
Stephen C. Cunnane et al. · Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience · 2016
DOI 10.3389/fnmol.2016.00053
More from this paper
- Ketone bodies (beta-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate) serve as an effective alternative fuel for the brain in aging and Alzheimer's Disease because ketone uptake remains normal even when glucose uptake is impaired.Good
- Interventions that raise ketone availability (via MCT oil, ketogenic diets, or ketone esters) improve cognitive outcomes in individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's Disease (AD).Moderate
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