Fueling the Alzheimer’s brain with fat
AT AAIC 2017
Brain Energy and Memory (BEAM) study
Dr. Swerdlow isn’t the only clinician researcher looking at how a ketogenic diet might influence cognition. Suzanne Craft, PhD, well known for her investigations of the role of insulin signaling and therapy in AD, is running a ketogenic diet trial as well.
As noted on clinicaltrials.gov, the 24-week Brain Energy and Memory (BEAM) study aimed to recruit 25 subjects in two cohorts: adults with mild memory complaints, and cognitively normal adults with prediabetes. A comparator group of healthy controls will contribute cognitive assessments, blood and stool sample collection, neuroimaging, and lumbar puncture at baseline.
Both active groups will be randomized to 6 weeks of either a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet, with carbs making up 50%-60% of daily caloric intake, or a modified ketogenic-Mediterranean Diet with carbs comprising less than 10% of daily caloric intake.
BEAM’s primary outcome will be changes in the AD cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers beta-amyloid and tau. Secondary endpoints include cognitive assessments, brain ketone uptake on PET scanning, and insulin sensitivity.
Dr. Cunnane has no financial interest in the MCT emulsion, which was supplied by Abitec. He reported conference travel support from Abitec, Nisshin OilliO, and Pruvit. He also reported receiving research project funding from Nestlé and Bulletproof.
Dr. Swerdlow had no financial disclosures.
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