University of Houston: Aneise Jameson and Her Insights #2
- ForgetMeNotIntl
- Oct 31
- 2 min read
My name is Aneise Jameson and I started the ForgetMeNotIntl's local chapter in Texas! I'm 24 years old and a graduate from the University of Houston. I'm a clinical research assistant and pharmacy technician, hoping to gain enough clinical and research experience to apply to medical school.
Reviewed Article: Effects of Ketone Bodies on Brain Metabolism and Function in Neurodegenerative Diseases by Nicole Jacqueline Jensen, Helena Zander Wodschow, Malin Nilsson, Jørgen Rungby
Main Argument & Findings:
Neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington disease (HD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are all characterized by glucose hypometabolism in affected brain regions, which correlates with disease severity. This metabolic deficit appears years before clinical symptoms manifest.The article argues that ketone bodies represent a promising therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases by addressing the fundamental energy crisis that characterizes these conditions. This article bridges basic metabolism with clinical application beautifully, showing how understanding brain energetics can lead to novel therapeutic strategies for currently untreatable diseases. The article honestly addresses challenges: adherence to ketogenic diets is difficult and often poor, with potential adverse effects including gastrointestinal problems, weight loss, and nutrient deficiencies. This highlights why MCFA supplements may be more practical for patient populations.
Importance for Youth:
The youth who understand this science have a significant advantage: knowledge that their daily choices are either building or depleting their future cognitive capital. This isn't just academic knowledge—it's actionable intelligence that empowers young people to make informed decisions about diet, lifestyle, and health habits that will determine their cognitive trajectory for the next 50+ years. The time to care about brain metabolism isn't when you're diagnosed with dementia—it's right now, when you have the maximum opportunity to build cognitive reserve and establish neuroprotective habits.
What I Learned:
Making a real world connection, I immediately look to the typical American/Western lifestyle. We eat every 2-3 hours, snack constantly, and consume high-carb foods that keep insulin elevated. Our bodies never NEED to switch to fat/ketone metabolism because glucose is always available.The brain's inability to switch between fuel sources (metabolic inflexibility) is a core feature of neurodegeneration, but it's also increasingly common in younger populations due to constant carbohydrate availability and insulin resistance.
Citations: Jensen, N. J., Wodschow, H. Z., Nilsson, M., & Rungby, J. (2020). Effects of Ketone Bodies on Brain Metabolism and Function in Neurodegenerative Diseases. International journal of molecular sciences, 21(22), 8767. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21228767
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