Dementia Prevention Through a Metabolic Lens

Alzheimer’s disease is usually discussed in terms of plaques, tangles, and genetics. Dr. Stephen Cunnane has spent years studying another piece of the puzzle: what happens when the aging brain can no longer use glucose efficiently, and whether ketones can help fill that energy gap.

In this interview, Dr. Bret Scher and Dr. Cunnane discuss the metabolic side of cognitive decline, including insulin resistance, brain glucose metabolism, and why metabolic health may play an important role in both prevention and treatment.

They cover:

Why brain glucose utilization declines with age and Alzheimer’s diseaseHow ketones may provide an alternative fuel for the brainWhat clinical trials of ketogenic diets, MCTs, and exogenous ketones have found so farWhy some studies show improvements in quality of life or daily function even when cognitive measures change lessWhat APOE4 may mean for treatment and preventionWhy type 2 diabetes is such an important modifiable risk factor for dementiaThe roles of exercise, carbohydrate reduction, MCTs, and other lifestyle strategiesWhy Dr. Cunnane believes prevention should begin long before cognitive symptoms appear

Dr. Cunnane also shares news about SPARCUS, the Sprott Prevent Alzheimer Research Collaboration at the University of Sherbrooke. The new program will support research and education around multi-domain metabolic approaches to cognitive health, including reduced carbohydrate intake, MCTs, exercise, and omega-3 supplementation.

The research is still evolving, but Dr. Cunnane argues that we already know enough about metabolic health to start taking modifiable dementia risk factors more seriously.

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Expert Featured:

Dr. Stephen Cunnane

https://recherche-cerveau-sherbrooke.ca/en/laboratory-team/