Posted By: Kevin G. Parker, D.C.
Pub Med: Brain Inj. 2009 May;23(5):459-65.
Before we get started another good article on Brain Injury: Brain Injury-Mild Traumatic Brain Injury-Clinical Neurophysiology 115 (January 2004) 418-Michael Gaetz, Ph.D
Okay..on with the article…
The protective effect of the ketogenic diet on traumatic brain injury-induced cell death in juvenile rats.
Hu ZG, Wang HD, Qiao L, Yan W, Tan QF, Yin HX.
Department of Neurosurgery, Jinling Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, PR China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
The ketogenic diet (the KD) is an effective treatment for intractable epilepsy, especially in the paediatric population, and a growing number of studies have shown the neuroprotective role of the KD.
However, few studies focused on the neuroprotective effects of the KD in traumatic brain injury (TBI).
The present study aimed to investigate the effects of the KD on TBI.
METHODS AND PROCEDURES:
Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 60) were randomly divided into four groups according to the diet fed (the KD vs normal diet) and whether brain was injured or not.
TBI was produced using Feeney weight drop model.
Brain edema was estimated by wet/dry weight ratio; Bax and Bcl-2 mRNA levels were determined by RealTime-PCR; Bax and Bcl-2 protein levels were detected by Western blot.
Furthermore, cellular apoptosis in the penumbra area was examined using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) method.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS:
The results indicated that both Bax mRNA and protein levels were significantly elevated 72 hours after TBI and decreased by KD administration.
Neither TBI nor the KD affected Bcl-2 mRNA and protein levels. KD administration also reduced brain oedema and cellular apoptosis.
CONCLUSION:
These results suggest that the KD might be a useful treatment for children suffering from the consequences of TBI.
Good books to check out…
The Brain That Changes Itself-by Dr. Norman Doidge-The discovery of neuroplasticity, that our thoughts can change the structure and function of our brains, even into old age, is the most important breakthrough in our understanding of the brain in four hundred years. He introduces principles we can all use to overcome a number of brain limitations and explores the profound brain implications of the changing brain in an immensely moving book that will permanently alter the way we look at human possibility and human nature.
SPARK-by Dr. John Ratey is a groundbreaking exploration of the connection between exercise and the brain’s performance that shows how even moderate exercise will supercharge mental circuits to beat stress, sharpen thinking, enhance memory, and much more.SPARK will change forever the way you think about your morning run—or, for that matter, simply the way you think.
The Talent Code-by Daniel Coyle (New York Times bestselling author)
3 books by Malcom Gladwell: The Tipping point, Blink, Outliers
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