As published by Neuroscience News yesterday, 2 December 2024, Ketone Bodies Clear Damaged Proteins in the Brain
Here’s the original paper this article is based on:Summary: Ketone bodies, known for their role in energy metabolism during fasting, have been shown to directly interact with damaged proteins in the brain, aiding their clearance through autophagy. Researchers discovered that the ketone body β-hydroxybutyrate alters the solubility of misfolded proteins, facilitating their removal and reducing pathological aggregation.
Tests in mouse models of Alzheimer’s and aging confirmed these effects, with treated animals showing improvements in protein quality control and brain health. This breakthrough provides a new metabolic link to aging and neurodegeneration, offering a potential pathway for therapeutic applications.
Key Facts
• Ketone bodies directly bind to misfolded proteins, enhancing their clearance via autophagy.
• Mice treated with ketone esters displayed reduced aggregation of insoluble brain proteins.
• Similar metabolites tested showed effects equal to or better than β-hydroxybutyrate.
β-hydroxybutyrate is a metabolic regulator of proteostasis in the aged and Alzheimer disease brain