In a recent study published in Cell Reports Medicine , researchers examined the impact of cyclic ketogenic diet treatments in improving the age-related decline in brain function using long-term potential recordings and behavioral testing in aged mice. Study: Ketogenic diet administration later in life improves memory by modifying the synaptic cortical proteome via the PKA signaling pathway in aging mice . Image Credit: Egoreichenkov Evgenii/Shutterstock.
com The progressive cognitive decline that occurs with age involves complex multifactorial changes in the neural networks and is characterized by brain aging hallmarks such as mitochondrial dysfunction, aberrant neuronal activity, and improper molecular waste disposal, especially in the cortex and hippocampus. The defective neuronal activity that results from these changes includes regression of dendritic tree structure, neurochemical imbalance, changes in gene expression, glucose metabolism impairments, etc. Dietary interventions have been explored extensively in recent times in murine model experiments to improve memory and learning.
Studies have shown that intermittent fasting, caloric restrictions, and ketogenic diets force a switch from glucose metabolism to fatty acid β-oxidation in the neurons, which consume ketone bodies for energy production. Ketone bodies such as β-hydroxybutyrate are known to lower reactive oxygen species production and increase mitochondrial biogenesis, targeting the hallmark.