Evening Lectures - Pensacola
Dr. Dom D'Agostino
THE TALK: Metabolic-Based Strategies for Neurological Disorders and Brain Health
April 27, 2023
Abstract
Research over several decades has provided evidence to support the anticonvulsant and neuroprotective properties of therapeutic ketosis, achieved through diet and ketogenic supplementation. More recent research has focused on understanding and exploiting the benefits of ketosis and other metabolic-based approaches to improve safety and operational resilience of military personnel and for the treatment and prevention of many non-communicable diseases. The subject matter covered in this presentation will include a description of the practical application of therapeutic ketosis and other metabolic-based approaches as a tool for improving cardiometabolic biomarkers, neurological outcomes, and overall brain health. Research in pre-clinical animal studies and human clinical trials will be covered. There will be an overview of our capacity for metabolic flexibility and how acute and chronic adaptations can aid in improving general health, cognitive resilience and suppression of inflammation. In addition, there will be a focus on clarifying the definition of therapeutic ketosis, implementation strategies (diet vs supplementation) and common pitfalls. Lastly, a personalized approach will be discussed based on the use of new commercially available tools for biomarker tracking.
Biography
BIO: Dominic D’Agostino, Ph.D., is a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology at the University of South Florida (USF) Morsani College of Medicine and a Visting Research Scientist IHMC. Dr. D’Agostino received his B.S. in Nutritional Science and Biological Sciences in 1998 at Rutgers University before receiving a Predoctoral Fellowship in neuroscience at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in 1999. In 2004 Dr. D’Agostino entered a postdoctoral fellowship in neuroscience at the Boonshoft School of Medicine at Wright State University in Ohio before moving his research program to USF Tampa in 2006. Funding through the Department of Defense (DoD) and Office of Naval Research (ONR) lead him to develop and patent unique technologies for a wide range of applications related to enhancing resilience in undersea environments, treating neurological disorders and in treatment and prevention of metabolic-based diseases. His work using in vitro and in vivo studies continue to explore the efficacy, mechanism of action and safety of metabolic therapeutics with current efforts focused on moving these agents into human clinical trials. Dr. D’Agostino continues to work closely with federal organizations, private industry, 501c3 foundations, media outlets, and maintains a blog on various topics related to his research at KetoNutrition.org.