Your Brain On... Creatine

Jun 18, 2025

Matthew K. Taylor, a lead researcher on creatine's role in Alzheimer's, and Russell Swerdlow, an expert in brain energy metabolism, discuss the promising but nuanced findings of recent studies on creatine supplementation. They highlight the critical distinction between hype and hope, examining how scientific nuances can easily be lost in the health discourse. The duo emphasizes the need for rigorous research on creatine's effects, particularly regarding dosage and cognitive health, while promoting holistic lifestyle changes for optimal brain function.

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INSIGHT

Creatine's Role in Brain Energy

Creatine is crucial because it supports energy generation via mitochondria in every cell, including the brain.
Alzheimer's disease is linked to impaired brain energy usage, making creatine a candidate for study in this context.

INSIGHT

Brain Uptake of Creatine Confirmed

Creatine crosses into the brain and increases brain creatine levels, a promising sign for bioenergetic impact.
The exact metabolic effects on ATP and cellular energy in the brain remain unknown and are being investigated further.

INSIGHT

Repair Over Destruction in Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer's is complex: rather than destroying broken components, treatments should aim to repair and restore brain function.
Brain energy metabolism is fundamental and interconnected with inflammation and oxidative stress, making it a key therapeutic target.

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Creatine for Alzheimer’s — let’s separate the hype from the hope.

A new study has caused a stir in June 2025, but lead researcher Matthew K. Taylor told us: “ I don’t think I can recommend it to a patient that this is going to ultimately have some sort of cognitive influence.”

We speak to Dr. Taylor and Dr. Russell Swerdlow in this episode, discussing:

• Role of creatine in your brain, and why it matters for energy metabolism

• What the 2025 study found (and why it wasn’t designed to prove effectiveness)

• How scientific nuance gets lost in supplement hype

• Why even promising early data must be handled with care

• The vital difference between hype and hope

Dr. Russell Swerdlow, MD is Director of the University of Kansas Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.

Dr. Matthew Taylor, PhD, RD is Associate Professor of Dietetics & Nutrition at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

This is... Your Brain On Creatine.

SUPPORTED BY: NEURO World. Help your brain thrive, now and into the future: https://neuro.world/

‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists, and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.

‘Your Brain On... Creatine’ • SEASON 5 • EPISODE 8

LINKS

Dr. Taylor at the University of Kansas: https://www.kumc.edu/mtaylor3.html

Dr. Swerdlow at the University of Kansas: https://www.kumc.edu/rswerdlow.html

REFERENCES

1. Smith AN, Choi IY, Lee P, Sullivan DK, Burns JM, Swerdlow RH, Kelly E, Taylor MK. Creatine monohydrate pilot in Alzheimer's: Feasibility, brain creatine, and cognition. Alzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions. 2025 Apr;11(2):e70101.

2. Taylor MK, Burns JM, Choi IY, et al. Protocol for a single-arm, pilot trial of creatine monohydrate supplementation in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Pilot Feasibility Study. 2024;10(1):42.

3. Habeck C, Risacher S, Lee GJ, et al. Relationship between baseline brain metabolism measured using [18 F]FDG PET and memory and executive function in prodromal and early Alzheimer’s disease. Brain Imaging Behav. 2012;6(4):568-83.

4. Kreider RB, Kalman DS, Antonio J, et al. International Society of Sports. Nutrition position stand: safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation in exercise, sport, and medicine. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2017;14:18.