“Independent study examining the effects of ketone supplements on cognitive function during hypoxic exposure under resting conditions. Objectives: Acute hypoxic exposure causes reduced blood oxygen saturation and impairs cognitive function. This study investigated whether ketone supplements could act as a countermeasure to the decline in blood oxygen saturation and cognitive performance during acute sever hypoxic exposure at rest. Methods: 23 male military aviation students (mean age of 25 years) participated in this single-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized crossover study, which consisted of 2 identical experimental trials, separated by 48 hours between trials. During both experimental trials, each participant performed cognitive assessments via DANA and RightEye (an eye-tracking cognitive assessment) at rest in 3 different environments, with a 30-minute break between each testing round. The 3 environments included room air (baseline), normoxia (standard oxygen levels at sea level), and hypoxia (severely reduced oxygen levels found at high altitudes). The normoxia and mild hypoxia environments were achieved with a reduced oxygen breathing device. At each trial, participants were randomly assigned to receive 2 separate doses of either the ketone supplements or a placebo, consumed 30 minutes before both the normoxia environment and the hypoxia environment. The DANA tests used were the simultaneous code substitution (CSS) and delayed code substitution (CSD) tests. Blood samples were taken throughout both trials. Results: The RightEye cognitive test did not detect any changes. However, significant differences between the ketone supplements treatment and the placebo were found in the DANA test scores during hypoxia. Specifically, the decline in cognitive efficiency scores for CSD during hypoxia was significantly attenuated with the ketone supplements treatment. The decline in blood oxygen saturation during hypoxia was also significantly reduced with the ketone supplements treatment. Accordingly, this study showed that ketone supplements taken prior to the severe hypoxic exposure reduces the hypoxia-induced declines in blood oxygen saturation and cognitive performance. Sensitivity of DANA to Ketone Supplements: The results of the study demonstrate the sensitivity of DANA to detect changes in cognitive performance at rest as a result of ketone supplements taken prior to hypoxic exposure.”