Do psychiatric medications alter brain energy and metabolic health?
Dr. Stephen Cunnane, a professor and researcher at the University of Sherbrooke, has been at the forefront of studying glucose and ketone metabolism in the aging brain, pioneering advanced imaging techniques to measure how the brain utilizes these critical energy sources with neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
While glucose PET imaging has long been used to study brain energy metabolism, Dr. Cunnane’s team was the first to develop ketone PET imaging, allowing researchers to look at the relationship between glucose and ketone metabolism in the brain and understand how ketones support brain function when it struggles to use glucose for energy.
Now, Dr. Cunnane has turned his attention to metabolic psychiatry and is working on a new study looking at brain energy metabolism in individuals experiencing first-episode psychosis. This study will allow researchers insights into the metabolic state of the brain at the onset of major mental illness and how psychiatric medications influence brain energy use.
In this episode, you will learn:
- How the brain uses fuel as we age – Why glucose metabolism declines over time and how ketones may compensate in aging and neurodegenerative conditions.
- The first ketone PET imaging studies – How Dr. Cunnane’s team developed a method to directly measure ketone uptake in the brain and compare it to glucose metabolism
- Psychosis and brain energy metabolism – Examining glucose and ketone utilization in first-episode psychosis before and after antipsychotic treatment.
- Carbohydrate reduction in older adults – Findings from a study showing how moderate carb restriction improved metabolic and mental health in retirement home residents independent of weight loss.
- Parkinson’s disease and ketones – Investigating how exercise, exogenous ketones, and carbohydrate restriction may enhance brain energy supply and improve symptoms.
Dr. Cunnane has been a pioneer in the field of ketogenic therapy and brain energy. In addition to all the incredible work he is doing in the aging brain, we are excited to see his new research focusing on such critical components of metabolic psychiatry.
Expert Featured:
Dr. Stephen Cunnane
https://recherche-cerveau-sherbrooke.ca/en/laboratory-team/
Studies Mentioned
A reduced carbohydrate diet improves glycemic regulation in hyperglycemic older people in a retirement home: the SAGE study
https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2024-0277
Resources Mentioned
Brain Research Team Website
https://recherche-cerveau-sherbrooke.ca/en/
Revolutionizing Assisted Living: Hal Cranmer's Ketogenic & Carnivore Approach to Senior Wellness
https://youtu.be/s86CFw0qhVc?feature=shared
Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.
Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources athttps://metabolicmind.org/
About us:Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.
Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.
Metabolic Mind 