Thread by @KetoCounselor

Central to Alzheimer's pathology is a phenomenon known as brain hypometabolism. Let me explain better what that term means. 🧵 (1/25) #alzheimers #AD #neurotwitter

Brain hypometabolism refers to a state of reduced metabolic activity in the brain, characterized by a decreased uptake and utilization of glucose - the primary #energy source for brain cells. (2/25)

This disastrous metabolic slowdown is not just a mere lack of energy, although that would be devastating enough. It triggers a cascade of effects that impair neuronal function and disrupts communication between #brain cells. (3/25)

Without the ability to utilize #glucose for fuel, #neurons become less efficient at transmitting signals, and their ability to form new connections, essential for #learning and #memory, is compromised. (4/25)

Sustained #hypometabolism can lead to the loss of neurons and a subsequent reduction in brain volume contributing to cognitive decline and the emergence of symptoms associated with conditions like #AlzheimersDisease. (5/25)

Hence, brain hypometabolism represents a key factor in the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative disorders. But let me be very clear in case that last sentence didn't hit home for you. (6/25)

Brain hypometabolism being identified as a primary driving factor in Alzheimer's disease (#AD) is not a matter of debate or contention in the scientific community. (7/25)

Brain imaging studies have consistently shown reduced glucose uptake in certain areas of the Alzheimer's brain. Numerous peer-reviewed studies have linked this diminished metabolic activity to the cognitive decline and memory loss that characterizes Alzheimer's Disease. (8/25)

It's not a hypothetical link or mere correlation; this is a firmly established aspect of the disease's pathology. Hence, brain hypometabolism is not a side effect or an outcome of Alzheimer's; it's a core part of the disease process itself. (9/25)

So obviously, targeting brain hypometabolism emerges as an essential strategy that must be a treatment factor in the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. (10/25)

Yet, startlingly, despite its core role in the disease's progression, brain hypometabolism remains unaddressed by current medications or standard-of-care treatments for Alzheimer's Disease. (11/25)

In AD, hypometabolism is particularly evident in specific regions of the brain that are critical for memory and cognitive functions. Two regions frequently implicated are the parietal lobe and the posterior cingulate cortex. (12/25)

The parietal lobe, located near the back of the brain, is responsible for various tasks, including spatial navigation, attention, and language processing. (13/25)

Parietal lobe impairment can look like getting lost easily, struggling to maintain attention, or having trouble with reading or understanding speech. (14/25)

The posterior cingulate cortex, found in the middle of the brain, plays a vital role in memory retrieval and cognitive control. (15/25)

Dysfunction in th posterior cingulate cortex can contribute to difficulties in recalling information and making decisions, which are common symptoms of AD. (16/25)

But I do not want to give you the impression that it is just a couple of areas of the brain that become hypometabolic in Alzheimer's disease. (17/25)

In #AD, brain hypometabolism isn't confined to a single area; rather, it manifests progressively, affecting various regions over time. (18/25)

While it's true that the parietal lobe and the posterior cingulate cortex are among the earliest and most severely affected, as the disease progresses, other areas of the brain also experience reduced glucose uptake and utilization. (19/25)

Unfortunately, the frontal lobe, the seat of our executive functions like decision-making, problem-solving, and emotional control, also becomes hypometabolic. (20/25)

This metabolic decline in the frontal lobe can lead to behavioral changes, impaired judgment, and difficulties in carrying out routine tasks. But the problem of brain hypometabolism doesn't just stop there. (21/25)

In Alzheimer's Disease, brain hypometabolism insidiously spreads beyond the initially affected areas, gradually engulfing virtually the entire cerebral cortex, the brain's outermost layer tasked with higher-order functions. (22/25)

Of particular significance is the temporal lobe, home to the hippocampus—the brain's memory epicenter. As metabolic activity dwindles in these regions, symptoms associated with Alzheimer's, such as memory loss, become increasingly apparent. (23/25)

The pervasiveness of this metabolic disruption underscores the critical importance of combating this issue head-on. (24/25)

Luckily we have the ketogenic diet—literally a metabolic therapy for the brain. Rescuing brain energy not only as an alternative fuel, but as a powerful modulator of #mitochondria in both their number and function. (25/25) #brainenergy