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A 3-week ketogenic diet Increases global cerebral blood flow and brain-derived neurotrophic factor
The ketogenic diet (KD) is gaining recognition for its positive effects on neurological conditions such as mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), suggesting potential benefits for broader populations. This study by Luong et al. (2025) aimed to evaluate the effect of a KD on cerebral blood flow (CBF) and levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in healthy adults. The researchers hypothesized that KD would enhance both CBF and BDNF, potentially offering protection against cognitive decline. A randomized, crossover study was conducted with 11 overweight but cognitively healthy participants. They followed two separate 3-week diet plans: a ketogenic diet (KD) and a standard diet (SDD). At the end of each phase, participants underwent a PET scan and an MRI scan. Blood samples were taken before the PET scan to measure levels of β-hydroxybutyrate (β-OHB) and BDNF. The KD significantly increased β-OHB levels in plasma compared to the SDD, boosting CBF by 22% and raising BDNF levels by 47%. A moderate correlation was also found between β-OHB levels and CBF across both diets. The ketogenic diet has been shown to improve cerebral blood flow and increase BDNF levels in healthy adults, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic strategy for conditions associated with reduced brain blood flow. [NPID: Ketogenic diet, ketosis, cerebral blood flow, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, positron emission tomography]
Year: 2025
