Dr. Mark Mattson
Dr. Mark Mattson is a renowned neuroscientist, former chief at the National Institute on Aging (NIA), and now an adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins, famous for research on brain aging, neurodegeneration (like Alzheimer’s), and how exercise and intermittent fasting promote brain health by inducing beneficial cellular stress (hormesis). He’s a highly cited expert who bridged basic science with human applications, developing dietary recommendations and inspiring broader interest in fasting for cognitive function.
Key Career & Contributions:
NIA Leadership: Served as Chief of the Laboratory of Neurosciences at the NIA, making major strides in understanding neuronal networks and brain diseases.
Johns Hopkins: Currently an Adjunct Professor of Neuroscience, continuing his influential work.
Research Focus: Elucidated how challenges like fasting, exercise, and plant phytochemicals trigger adaptive responses (neurogenesis, stress resistance) in the brain, preventing aging-related decline.
Neurodegenerative Diseases: Advanced understanding of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and stroke, linking metabolic issues to these conditions.
Intermittent Fasting Pioneer: His research demonstrated intermittent fasting’s benefits, leading to clinical trials and popular interest, and he co-authored a key review in the New England Journal of Medicine