How Cognitive Decline Impacts Muscle Mass Loss

A professor at the University of South Florida, Dominic D’Agostino performs research in areas such as ketone ester and supplementation and related technologies. One area of extensive knowledge of Dominic D’Agostino is the connection between muscle mass and cognitive decline.

An extensive body of research exists tying exercise to improved health, longevity, and cognitive abilities. At the same time age-related muscle loss, or sarcopenia, has proven links to dementia among older people. With sarcopenia beginning in the 30s and generating an average five percent of skeletal muscle mass loss each decade, the condition accelerates after age 60 and is three times as impactful among those with dementia.

As explored in a study, there are four proposed mechanisms behind this phenomenon: protein metabolism, mitochondrial function, insulin metabolism, and systemic inflammation. A foundation of these physiological processes are myokines, molecules which are released by muscles as they contract and signal to various parts of the body. One highlighted myokine type, cathepsin, is able to cross the blood brain barrier and impact a number of pathways involved in the development of neurons directly. Another type, brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), promotes gene expression linked with neuronal mitochondrial biogenesis. BDNF also helps ensure a healthy mitochondria pool and eliminates excessive oxidative stresses and a breakdown of energy metabolism that can impact muscles.

Infrequent exercise inhibits the release of myokines and their positive effect in bolstering muscle mass. The decrease in myokine secretion that goes with a sedentary lifestyle can thus generate a negative feedback loop that results in cognitive decline. Steps to prevent this include staying physically active, boosting metabolic biomarkers through a ketogenic diet, and carefully tracking sarcopenia over the long term.

For more information, please visit ketonutrition.org.