NCT03873922

Ketogenic Diet for Psychotic Disorders

Dietary Intervention for Psychotic Disorders: a Pilot Intervention Study of Ketogenic Diet for Psychotic Symptoms - PsyDiet Pilot Study

• Status: Unknown
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 40 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Kuopio University Hospital · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Disturbances in glucose metabolism and glutamate neurotransmission feature in the pathophysiology of psychotic disorders. Ketogenic diet (KD) is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that restricts glucose and forces metabolism of ketones, which serve as alternative energy substrates for the brain. KD is an established treatment for intractable epilepsy. However, we lack the randomized controlled trials (RCT) evidence regarding potential effects of KD on psychotic symptoms in humans. This randomised, controlled pilot study aims to investigate: 1. feasibility of a Modified Ketogenic Diet (MKD) intervention protocol in psychotic inpatients, 2. potential impact of MKD intervention on psychotic symptoms, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and functioning in patients with psychotic symptoms / psychotic disorder. A 6-week randomised KD pilot study will be carried out in psychotic inpatients (aimed n=40) at Niuvanniemi Hospital and Kuopio University Hospital, Finland. In the KD group, carbohydrate consumption is limited to 15-20 g/day to activate ketosis. The control group will have their ordinary hospital meals. A number of different assessment will be carried out at time points 0, 1 week, 3 weeks and 6 weeks.

Detailed description

Disturbances in glucose metabolism and glutamate neurotransmission feature in the pathophysiology of psychotic disorders. Ketogenic diet (KD) is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that restricts glucose and forces metabolism of ketones, which serve as alternative energy substrates for the brain. KD is an established treatment for intractable epilepsy. However, we lack the RCT evidence regarding potential effects of KD on psychotic symptoms in humans. This randomised, controlled pilot study aims to investigate: 1. feasibility of a Modified Ketogenic Diet (MKD) intervention protocol in psychotic inpatients, 2. potential impact of MKD intervention on psychotic symptoms, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and functioning in patients with psychotic symptoms / psychotic disorder. A 6-week randomised KD pilot study will be carried out in psychotic inpatients (aimed n=40) at Niuvanniemi Hospital and Kuopio University Hospital, Finland. In the KD group, carbohydrate consumption is limited to 15-20 g/day to activate ketosis. The control group will have their ordinary hospital meals. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Axis I disorders (SCID-I), and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) will assess current psychotic disorders and psychotic symptoms, respectively. Blood glucose, lipid, and ketone body levels, and weight will be measured. Background variables (socioeconomic factors, comorbidities, obtained treatments including medications, and health behaviours including diet) will be documented.

Conditions

• Psychosis; Acute
• Psychosis
• Psychotic Disorders
• Schizophrenia

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Ketogenic diet intervention	Ketogenic, really low carbohydrate containing (15-20 g/day), meals will be offered to the participants.

Timeline

• Start date: 2021-03-15
• Primary completion: 2025-06-30
• Completion: 2025-12-31
• First posted: 2019-03-14
• Last updated: 2024-03-08

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Finland