Research & Evidence
Scientific findings from “Brain Energy” by Dr. Christopher Palmer supporting the metabolic approach to mental health.
💬I am not the first to suggest that metabolism and mitochondria are related to mental illness. In fact, I am building on decades of research from thousands of scientists.
The Ketogenic Diet and Remission of Psychotic Symptoms in Schizophrenia (2019)
Published peer-reviewed case studies documenting FULL REMISSION of psychotic symptoms in patients with schizophrenia using the ketogenic diet. These patients had failed multiple medications.
This is the first published clinical evidence that the ketogenic diet can achieve what medications could not - full remission of treatment-resistant psychotic symptoms.
400+ Research Papers Link Mitochondria to Schizophrenia & Bipolar
A 2021 medical literature search found over 400 research articles linking mitochondrial dysfunction to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, over 3,000 for depression, and over 4,000 for Alzheimer's disease.
Mitochondrial problems are a CORE feature of serious mental illness - this is established science, not speculation.
Schizophrenia Patients Are 3x More Likely to Develop Diabetes
People with schizophrenia are 3x more likely to develop diabetes - and this increased risk exists BEFORE taking any antipsychotic medications. Sir Henry Maudsley noted this connection back in 1879.
Schizophrenia is fundamentally a metabolic disorder. The brain and body are affected by the same underlying dysfunction.
Insulin Resistance Found in First-Episode Psychosis AND Their Siblings
Impaired insulin signaling was found in BOTH patients with first-episode psychosis AND their unaffected siblings - suggesting insulin resistance may be a CAUSE, not a consequence, of mental illness.
This groundbreaking study shows metabolic dysfunction precedes psychosis - we can potentially prevent schizophrenia by addressing insulin resistance early.
Schizophrenia and Dementia: 20x Risk
A study of 8+ million people found that if someone with schizophrenia lives to age 66, they are 20 TIMES more likely to be diagnosed with dementia than those without schizophrenia.
Both schizophrenia and dementia involve mitochondrial dysfunction. The brain energy theory explains this connection.
Dopamine Dysfunction May Be CAUSED by Mitochondrial Problems
Dopamine metabolism by monoamine oxidase (MAO) occurs INSIDE mitochondria and directly activates the electron transport chain - linking dopamine to energy production.
The 'dopamine imbalance' theory of schizophrenia may be backwards - dopamine problems may be a DOWNSTREAM effect of mitochondrial dysfunction, not the root cause.
Brain Insulin Resistance Causes Dopamine Problems
Insulin resistance in the brain alters dopamine turnover and causes behavioral disorders in mice.
This directly links metabolic dysfunction (insulin resistance) to the dopamine problems seen in schizophrenia.
Hyperexcitability Found in Schizophrenia, Bipolar, Autism, Alzheimer's
Hyperexcitability of neurons has been found in epilepsy, delirium, PTSD, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, autism, OCD, and Alzheimer's disease.
The same brain dysfunction (hyperexcitable cells) underlies both seizures and psychiatric symptoms. This is why epilepsy treatments like the ketogenic diet can help.
B-SNIP Study: Can't Tell Schizophrenia from Bipolar Biologically
A major NIMH-funded multisite study of 2,400+ people examined brain scans, genetic testing, EEGs, blood parameters, and cognitive tests. They COULD NOT tell schizophrenia, bipolar, and schizoaffective patients apart from each other.
If these are truly different disorders, why are they biologically indistinguishable? They may be the same underlying metabolic dysfunction with different symptom presentations.
The Numbers Don't Lie
🔬 Ongoing Clinical Trials
From the book: “There are several clinical trials for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia getting underway currently.” Dr. Palmer and colleagues worldwide are conducting rigorous research on metabolic interventions for psychiatric conditions.
Read the Full Research
“Brain Energy” contains 500+ citations and 40+ pages of detailed chapter notes with full references.
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