Feb 1, 2025

Feb 1, 2025

Feb 1, 2025

Effect of Acute Hyperketonemia on the Cerebral Uptake of Ketone Bodies in Nondiabetic Subjects and IDDM Patients

Effect of Acute Hyperketonemia on the Cerebral Uptake of Ketone Bodies in Nondiabetic Subjects and IDDM Patients

Effect of Acute Hyperketonemia on the Cerebral Uptake of Ketone Bodies in Nondiabetic Subjects and IDDM Patients

This PET imaging study demonstrates that both healthy individuals and insulin-dependent diabetics (IDDM) rapidly absorb ketone bodies into the brain during acute hyperketonemia. As blood ketone levels rose to 1.5–2.0 mM via infusion, cerebral uptake of ketones increased significantly, confirming that the brain can swiftly shift to using ketones for energy—regardless of insulin status. These findings highlight the potential of exogenous ketones to bypass impaired glucose metabolism and support brain function in diabetic or metabolic-compromised states.

This PET imaging study demonstrates that both healthy individuals and insulin-dependent diabetics (IDDM) rapidly absorb ketone bodies into the brain during acute hyperketonemia. As blood ketone levels rose to 1.5–2.0 mM via infusion, cerebral uptake of ketones increased significantly, confirming that the brain can swiftly shift to using ketones for energy—regardless of insulin status. These findings highlight the potential of exogenous ketones to bypass impaired glucose metabolism and support brain function in diabetic or metabolic-compromised states.

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Summary of

Effect of Acute Hyperketonemia on the Cerebral Uptake of Ketone Bodies in Nondiabetic Subjects and IDDM Patients

By

Pawel L. Muzik

Pawel L. Muzik

, et al.

, et al.

View Study PDF

Purpose

To investigate whether acute elevation of blood ketones increases cerebral uptake of ketone bodies in both healthy individuals and insulin-dependent diabetics (IDDM).

Methods

Six nondiabetic controls and five IDDM patients received infusions of labeled acetoacetate and β-hydroxybutyrate, elevating blood ketones to ~1.7 mM. Cerebral uptake was measured using positron emission tomography (PET) to determine ketone transport and metabolism across the blood-brain barrier.

Results

In both groups, cerebral uptake of ketones increased linearly with plasma levels. IDDM subjects showed ketone utilization similar to controls, indicating insulin is not required for cerebral ketone transport. Uptake was most prominent in brain regions with high metabolic demand, such as the cortex and thalamus.

Conclusion

Acute hyperketonemia enables rapid brain uptake of ketones in both diabetic and non-diabetic individuals, offering an alternative energy substrate for cognitive and metabolic support—particularly in glucose-impaired conditions.

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Jan 1, 2021

Effects of a Ketone/Caffeine Supplement on Cycling and Cognitive Performance
This Ohio State University study explored whether a ketone-salt and caffeine supplement could enhance exercise and cognitive performance in healthy, non-keto-adapted adults. Twelve recreationally trained participants consumed either the supplement or water before cycling to exhaustion. The supplement raised ketone levels over twofold and significantly increased time to exhaustion by 8.3% and Wingate average power by 4.3%. No significant cognitive benefits were observed. The supplement was well tolerated, with no adverse GI events. These findings support the ergogenic use of ketone salts with caffeine for boosting high-intensity exercise performance.

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Improvement of cognitive functions by oral intake of Hericium erinaceus
Billed as a medicinal mushroom for centuries, lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) is now being studied for its brain‑boosting effects. In this double‑blind, placebo‑controlled trial, 34 adults over 50 were randomized to take powdered H. erinaceus capsules or placebo for 12 weeks; 31 completed the study. Cognitive function was tested at the start, halfway, and end using the Mini Mental State Examination, Benton visual retention, and paired‑associate learning tests. Those who consumed the mushroom saw significant improvement and prevented decline in Mini Mental State scores compared with placebo. No serious side effects were reported, and researchers attribute benefits to neurotrophic compounds in the mushroom.

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Efficacy of Standardized Extract of Bacopa monnieri (Bacognize) on Cognitive Functions of Medical Students: A Six-Week, Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial
Bacopa monnieri, or Brahmi, is an Ayurvedic herb praised for memory support. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 60 second-year medical students received either 150 mg standardized Bacopa extract or placebo twice daily for six weeks. Participants completed baseline cognitive tests and repeated them after treatment. Those taking Bacopa improved in working-memory and logical-memory tasks, while the placebo group showed no such gains. Blood tests revealed a rise in serum calcium and slight improvements in lipid profiles that remained within normal ranges. The findings suggest that Bacopa supplementation may boost cognitive performance even in individuals with high baseline abilities.

Jan 1, 2021

Effects of a Ketone/Caffeine Supplement on Cycling and Cognitive Performance
This Ohio State University study explored whether a ketone-salt and caffeine supplement could enhance exercise and cognitive performance in healthy, non-keto-adapted adults. Twelve recreationally trained participants consumed either the supplement or water before cycling to exhaustion. The supplement raised ketone levels over twofold and significantly increased time to exhaustion by 8.3% and Wingate average power by 4.3%. No significant cognitive benefits were observed. The supplement was well tolerated, with no adverse GI events. These findings support the ergogenic use of ketone salts with caffeine for boosting high-intensity exercise performance.

Aug 1, 2019

Improvement of cognitive functions by oral intake of Hericium erinaceus
Billed as a medicinal mushroom for centuries, lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) is now being studied for its brain‑boosting effects. In this double‑blind, placebo‑controlled trial, 34 adults over 50 were randomized to take powdered H. erinaceus capsules or placebo for 12 weeks; 31 completed the study. Cognitive function was tested at the start, halfway, and end using the Mini Mental State Examination, Benton visual retention, and paired‑associate learning tests. Those who consumed the mushroom saw significant improvement and prevented decline in Mini Mental State scores compared with placebo. No serious side effects were reported, and researchers attribute benefits to neurotrophic compounds in the mushroom.

Jan 1, 2021

Effects of a Ketone/Caffeine Supplement on Cycling and Cognitive Performance
This Ohio State University study explored whether a ketone-salt and caffeine supplement could enhance exercise and cognitive performance in healthy, non-keto-adapted adults. Twelve recreationally trained participants consumed either the supplement or water before cycling to exhaustion. The supplement raised ketone levels over twofold and significantly increased time to exhaustion by 8.3% and Wingate average power by 4.3%. No significant cognitive benefits were observed. The supplement was well tolerated, with no adverse GI events. These findings support the ergogenic use of ketone salts with caffeine for boosting high-intensity exercise performance.

Aug 1, 2019

Improvement of cognitive functions by oral intake of Hericium erinaceus
Billed as a medicinal mushroom for centuries, lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) is now being studied for its brain‑boosting effects. In this double‑blind, placebo‑controlled trial, 34 adults over 50 were randomized to take powdered H. erinaceus capsules or placebo for 12 weeks; 31 completed the study. Cognitive function was tested at the start, halfway, and end using the Mini Mental State Examination, Benton visual retention, and paired‑associate learning tests. Those who consumed the mushroom saw significant improvement and prevented decline in Mini Mental State scores compared with placebo. No serious side effects were reported, and researchers attribute benefits to neurotrophic compounds in the mushroom.
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If you want to restore your metabolic health, defeat that midday slump or achieve your personal best, Tecton Ketones is launching a range of specifically formulated products to help reach your goals.

If you want to restore your metabolic health, defeat that midday slump or achieve your personal best, Tecton Ketones is launching a range of specifically formulated products to help reach your goals.