Webinar Summary
The ketogenic diet was originally studied and used in patients with seizure disorders, such as epilepsy. The ketogenic diet was shown to be superior to anticonvulsant drug therapies for seizure reduction or remission in a large portion this patient population. The underlying mechanisms mediating the profound impact of the ketogenic diet on seizure disorders include the suppression of oxidative stress and inflammation, in addition to the brain being fed ketones, which are a more efficient fuel source than glucose. In this discussion Dr. Dominic D’Agostino explores the benefits and mechanisms of the ketogenic diet in brain health, exploring conditions beyond epilepsy.
Originally aired November 8, 2018
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Presenter Bio
Dominic D’Agostino, PhD is a neuroscience, molecular pharmacology, and physiology researcher with a vast array of professional, academic, and personal pursuits and achievements. As a tenured Associate Professor at the University of South Florida, Dr. D’Agostino teaches students at the Morsani College of Medicine and the Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, with a focus on neuropharmacology, medical biochemistry, physiology, cell metabolism, and signaling.
Dr. D’Agostino’s laboratory develops and tests metabolic-based strategies for targeting CNS oxygen toxicity (seizures), epilepsy, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. The main focus of his lab over the last decade has been understanding the anticonvulsant and neuroprotective mechanism of the ketogenic diet and ketone metabolite supplementation. Dr. D’Agostino is also a Research Scientist at the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC), assisting with environmental medicine research efforts to optimize the safety, health, and resilience of the warfighter and astronaut. Dr. D’Agostino was a research investigator and crew member on NASA’s Extreme Environment Mission Operation (NEEMO 22). His research is supported by the Office of Naval Research (ONR), Department of Defense (DoD), private sources, and foundations.
Dr. D’Agostino received his PhD in Physiology and Neuroscience from Rutgers University and Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and completed postdoctoral fellowships in molecular pharmacology and physiology at University of South Florida and in neuroscience at Boonshoft School of Medicine at Wright State University.
Watch a preview of the video series below.
