This Study Should Change The Way We Think About Brain Aging

Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia are among the most feared consequences of aging, impacting nearly 7 million adults in the U.S. today, a number expected to double by 2060.

While many assume brain aging is just a natural part of growing older, new research suggests it may not be inevitable and may even be preventable.

The study, led by Dr. Lily Mujica-Parodi and published in _PNAS_, analyzed over 19,000 brain scans and found that:

Brain aging accelerates starting in your 40s
This decline is closely linked to insulin resistance in the brain

Then, in a follow-up study with 101 participants, the researchers found:

A ketogenic diet helped “restabilize” brain function, especially in adults aged 40–60, potentially slowing brain aging during this critical window.
Supplemental ketones (exogenous ketones) offered similar benefits, reinforcing the idea that ketones themselves are the key driver of these improvements.

The big takeaway? There may be a critical window in midlife where you can intervene with metabolic strategies, like ketogenic therapy, to slow brain aging and possibly reduce your risk of dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases later in life.

If you're in your 40s to 60s, this could be the time to take control. Learn what you can do now in our full blog: www.metabolicmind.org/blog/midlife-brain-aging-why…

🔗 Other Resources:
📌 Full paper: doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2416433122

🎥 Full interview with Dr. Lily Mujica-Parodi:    • New Research Pinpoints Midlife Brain Decli...  

Expert Featured:
Dr. Bret Scher
X: x.com/bschermd

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at metabolicmind.org/

About us:
Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medicatio