The Ketogenic Diet: A Possible Intervention for Improving Hippocampal Function in Neurological Disorders

With a focus on the hippocampus, in this review we examined the emerging role of the ketogenic diet (KD) in treating neurological disorders. There are multiple pathways through which various versions of the KD influence the hippocampus: energy metabolism shifts, neurotransmitter modulation, neuroinflammation control, and synaptic plasticity and epigenetic regulation modifications. Both animal studies and clinical research, with emphasis on epilepsy and Alzheimer disease, have revealed the therapeutic potential of KDs. By modifying energy metabolism and lowering neuroinflammation, KDs may have therapeutic uses such as treatment of epilepsy and Alzheimer disease. In addition, ketones may stabilize hippocampal neuronal networks and reduce amyloid-beta toxicity. Individualized factors and the duration and timing of KD intervention play critical roles in achieving optimal outcomes, such as enhanced hippocampal function and neuroprotection. While preclinical studies have demonstrated enhanced hippocampal synaptic plasticity and neuroprotection, the long-term neurological and metabolic effects of KDs require further clinical validation. There are still a number of important research gaps, especially with regard to the application of animal findings to humans. Future studies should concentrate on long-term human trials using standardized designs to investigate how KDs can affect the nervous system.