Apparently they play a critical role in neurones (which can have millions of them) not only because the brain is the most energy hungry organe but also because they play numerous parts in how they work : neurotransmitter transporters and regulators, stress modulator, epigenetic "signalors"... the list goes on.
No wonder ketones can have an impact such as healing epilepsy just by the effect they have on mitochondria. It is quit a fascinating domain of research and the potential it is unravelling is huge IMHO.
Yes I remember Dr Bikman saying that and it make sense since it is a form of uncontrolled electrical storm in the brain analagous in that sense to epilepsy.
The main theoretical idea behind mitochondrial dysfunction is that it is a root cause of many mental health issues : depression, bipolar syndrome, migraine, alzheimer (aka type 3 diabete)... even schizophrenia. And the reason given is you have those neurone networks with impaired mitiochondria that are over or under excitable. These are not dead neurone so it is reversible if you can bring back healthy mitochondria... Part of it is done through mitophagy and mitogenesis induced by fasting/ keto therapy.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6iJMDhLmLc
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XTOKo99Ohg
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7sftaJThk8