New Research Pinpoints Midlife Brain Decline & How to Slow It

Dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and cognitive decline should not be inevitable parts of aging. In this interview, Dr. Lily Mujica-Parodi and Dr. Kirk Nylen join Dr. Bret Scher to discuss groundbreaking research revealing a key metabolic midlife marker of accelerated cognitive decline and a potential solution for slowing it. In this interview, you’ll learn: - Why brain network stability rapidly declines in midlife - How insulin resistance in neurons may be the early driver of neurodegeneration - The critical age window where metabolic interventions could have the biggest impact - Why ketones (from diet or supplementation) may restore brain function and slow cognitive decline - How lifestyle choices like diet and exercise can help protect your brain, long before symptoms arise If you’re in your 30s, 40s, or 50s and want to understand how to protect long-term brain health, this episode is for you. Dr. Mujica-Parodi also explains the concept of “control circuits” in physiology and how destabilization can trigger a cascade of disease. Plus, we cover the role of exogenous ketones vs. ketogenic diet and the future of brain health screening. Watch to find out how you can act now, before symptoms appear, to give your brain the best shot at staying resilient and sharp for decades to come. *Expert Featured:* Dr. Lily Mujica-Parodi, PhD - https://x.com/MujicaParodi Dr. Kirk Nylen, PhD - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirknylen/ *Resources Mentioned:* Dr. Mujica-Parodi’s website - https://www.LCneuro.org Brain aging shows nonlinear transitions, suggesting a midlife “critical window” for metabolic intervention - https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2416433122 _Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope_ - https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616 _Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness_ - https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615 Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry. Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/ *About us:* Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them. Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications. *Timestamps:* 01:09 - Introduction to Dr. Lily Mujica-Parodi and her research on dementia with additional guest host Dr. Kirk Nylen. 2:56 - What are “control circuits” in the brain, how do they impact our health, and why early detection of brain dysregulation is important. 6:42 - Studying hypermetabolism, glucose, and the brain 10:53 - Measuring glucose-resistant neurons 13:35 - Brain states and our mental stability as we age 19:17 - Using ketosis and exogenous ketones to support brain function as we age 27:44 - Exogenous ketones vs. endogenous ketones: What results have been seen by providing the brain with ketones? 29:15 - The role of sleep in brain health and dementia prevention 30:38 - The far-reaching implications of Dr. Parodi’s dementia study 36:42 - Actionable advice for the average viewer 41:40 - Listening to our body’s “alarm bells”