Missouri, September 28, 2026 — Scientists at the University of Missouri have discovered that bullfrog brains can produce their own alternative source of energy when glucose levels become low.

Researchers found that, unlike what is typically expected in animals, bullfrog brains can locally produce ketone bodies, which can serve as an emergency fuel when the brain does not receive enough glucose.

Ketones are normally produced mainly by the liver and then transported through the bloodstream to organs such as the brain. The new findings suggest that bullfrog brains have their own mechanism for producing these energy molecules when needed.

Scientists say the discovery could provide new insights into how brains respond to energy shortages and may help researchers better understand similar processes in humans.

The study highlights an unusual adaptation that allows bullfrogs to maintain critical brain functions during periods of limited energy availability.