Show-Me State Times

A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Missouri has examined the impact of exercise on cognitive health, even when one of the brain's main energy sources, ketones, is not readily available. The study, led by Taylor Kelty and R. Scott Rector, suggests that exercise might play a significant role in preventing cognitive decline, potentially offering a means to preserve memory and cognitive function as people age.

As the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease is projected to more than double among Americans by 2060, the study provides insights into how regular physical activity could become a key factor in maintaining brain health. When glucose is in short supply, the liver produces ketones as an alternative energy source, supporting brain functions such as memory and learning. However, the researchers focused on scenarios where the liver's ability to produce ketones was impaired. They discovered that exercise could help reverse some cognitive declines, even with reduced ketone production.

"Going into the study, we thought that with fewer ketones and the cognitive impairments that causes, exercise may not be able to overcome that impairment," Kelty stated. "But it seems like exercise is so powerful that there are other mechanisms going on in the brain that allow it circumvent those impairments and still receive the benefits from exercise."

Rector highlighted the broad benefits of exercise, even when specific molecular pathways are not fully understood. "This study highlights how exercise benefits the body in a multitude of ways, even when we don’t fully understand all the molecular mechanisms involved," he explained. "Even when we remove a single pathway, exercise is doing so many other things that it can help mitigate those deficiencies."

The study's findings are particularly encouraging for individuals with liver conditions that limit ketone production. Kelty noted that emerging research indicates a link between severe liver dysfunction and an increased risk of dementia.

"If ketone production in the liver is disrupted, it could be a potential cause of cognitive decline, ultimately leading to conditions like dementia," Kelty remarked. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding ketone production and the role exercise may have in maintaining cognitive health.

"There’s so much we’re still uncovering, and with all the state-of-the-art resources and interdisciplinary collaborations at Mizzou, it’s exciting to think about where this research might take us next," Kelty added. "Exercise could be a key piece of the puzzle in preserving brain health as we age."

Both researchers expressed gratitude for the support provided by the university and other organizations. Rector said, "The support we’ve received from Mizzou, the Division of Research, Innovation and Impact, and the NextGen Precision Health initiative has been incredible. We hope our work will ultimately help a lot of people in the future."

The research, titled "Cognitive impairment caused by compromised hepatic ketogenesis is prevented by endurance exercise," has been published in The Journal of Physiology. It received funding from the National Institutes of Health and is part of the NIH Molecular Transducers of Physical Activity Consortium, a national research initiative aimed at uncovering how physical activity can improve health and prevent disease.