Evaluation of a Ketogenic Diet for Improvement of Neurological Recovery in Individuals With Acute Spinal Cord Injury
Ohio State University
Summary
The purpose of this project is to determine if 5 weeks of ketogenic (KD, high-fat) diet vs. standard diet (SD) significantly improves motor and sensory function, glycemic function, and functional independence in patients with spinal cord injury.
Description
There is an urgent need for innovative therapies for improving neurorecovery after spinal cord injury (SCI). Despite extensive research, clinical advancements, and improved rehabilitation strategies, SCI continues to be a significant cause of disability and mortality. After a primary impact, the injured spinal cord undergoes multiple secondary pathological states that represent an important target in developing neuroprotective strategies for treatment of SCI. Even minor improvements in neurological recovery can have profound impacts on management of daily activities, secondary health complicat…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 19–60 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Clinically motor complete and incomplete spinal cord injury, age 19-60 * ASIA A, B, C or D (ASIA: Neurological Impairment Scale) Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnant women. * Neurological (other than SCI), vascular and/or cardiac problems that may limit function and interfere with testing procedures * Patients with evidence of renal insufficiency and liver disease by history, physical examination, and laboratory tests * Patients with underlying pulmonary diseases
Interventions
- OtherKetogenic Diet
Enteral feeding via nasogastric (NG) or nasojejunal (NJ) tubes with ketogenic diet will start within 72 hours of injury and solid feeding will start as soon as the patient is able to swallow. This diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet (lipid to carbohydrate + protein ratio of 3:1) that will include ≈75% total energy as fat, ≈20% as protein, and ≈5% as carbohydrate and fiber.
- OtherStandard Diet
Enteral feeding via nasogastric (NG) or nasojejunal (NJ) tubes with SD diet will start within 72 hours of injury and solid feeding will start as soon as the patient is able to swallow. This diet includes ≈35% total energy as fat, ≈27% as protein, and ≈44% as carbohydrate and fiber.
Location
- Ohio State University HospitalColumbus, Ohio