News Release

Metabolic Mind Award Program Update

The Milken Institute in partnership with the Baszucki Brain Research Fund are pleased to announce the individuals selected to receive the 2022 Metabolic Mind Award for their exceptional contributions to the advancement of understanding Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy for mental health

These seven trailblazers will receive $100,000 for their past efforts to treat patients, develop training programs, conduct observational research, and engage in other activities to raise awareness around Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy for neuropsychiatric conditions. 

  • Ignacio Cuaranta, MD, is a clinical psychiatrist in Argentina who has been using metabolic approaches to treat patients since 2015. He has contributed significantly to the field of metabolic psychiatry by engaging with the public through lectures and social media and by promoting Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy for mental health at conferences worldwide.  

  • Albert Danan, MD, has practiced psychiatry for 35 years and has published results of his delivery of Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy to patients in his psychiatric clinic. This body of work represents the largest inpatient study of this intervention for psychiatric patients and paves the way for future pilot and randomized controlled trials.  

  • Georgia Ede, MD, is one of the earliest pioneers of metabolic psychiatry. Her website serves as a substantial hub of information for the public about the ketogenic diet and mental health, and she has led the CME-accredited Ketogenic Diet for Mental Health Clinician Training Program. 

  • Nicole Laurent is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and founder of mentalhealthketo.com. She delivers Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy to her clients with mood disorders, has undertaken post-graduate training in nutrition and integrative health, and has engaged with the public through her blog, podcast appearances, and social media.  

  • Christopher Palmer, MD, has 20 years of experience treating patients with Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy. He has used his global lectures, website, media appearances, and social media presence to raise awareness of ketogenic therapies among clinicians and the public. His upcoming book, Brain Energy, will make a case for a metabolic cause for diverse psychiatric conditions. 

  • Denise Potter is a leading dietician providing Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy across multiple neurological and metabolic conditions. In addition, she is credited with collaborating to create the Ketogenic Therapeutics Mastery courses, which have contributed to the modern framework for treating epilepsy and other psychiatric and neurological conditions using this intervention. 

  • Beth Zupec-Kania is a registered dietitian nutritionist in the field of metabolic psychiatry and a consultant to The Charlie Foundation. She designed KetoDietCalculator, a free resource used by nutritionists and the public, wrote educational guides on Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy for epilepsy and neurological disorders, created a training module to educate nutritionists and psychiatrists, and is a co-author on many scientific papers.