Effects of Ketone Bodies on Brain Metabolism and Function in Neurodegenerative Diseases

This review summarizes current knowledge on how ketogenic interventions, including ketogenic diets, ketogenic medium-chain fatty acids and exogenous ketones, support brain metabolism in neurodegenerative diseases. It states that most clinical studies of ketone bodies and neuroprotection have been in Alzheimer's disease, where brain imaging studies support enhanced brain energy metabolism with ketones. A few studies show modest functional improvements in Parkinson's disease and cognitive benefits in patients with, or at risk of, Alzheimer's disease after ketogenic interventions.