Ketogenic Diet in Weight Recovered Anorexia Nervosa to Normalize Brain Metabolism and Persistent Eating Disorder Psychopathology
University of California, San Diego
Summary
This is a longitudinal study with an open design in weight recovered anorexia nervosa (wrAN) individuals. Healthy controls (HC) will also be assessed. Study participants will be carefully assessed and will have 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (\[18F\]FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) scans for assessment of regional brain glucose uptake. The wrAN group will be compared to healthy controls. Participants in the wrAN group will then complete 14 weeks of therapeutic ketogenic diet (TKD). At the end of the TKD study, participants will have assessments and a second \[18F\]FDG and TMS/EEG scan. Study participants will be followed over six months after the intervention. This follow-up procedure will help determine whether symptom improvement will be stable or worsen in individuals who choose to continue or discontinue the TKD intervention. This will be a naturalistic follow-up.
Description
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe psychiatric disorder. However, neurobiological models and interventions to explain and treat the core characteristics of food restriction, feeling fat, and body size overestimation are lacking. While research has made progress in understanding brain function involved in AN pathophysiology, translating those results into biological therapies has been challenging. Studies have suggested that metabolic factors contribute to developing and maintaining AN pathophysiology. Specifically, brain glucose utilization and metabolism may be altered in AN, interfere with br…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–45 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: Weight Recovered Anorexia Nervosa (wrAN) * Age 18-45 years old * Male and Female sexes * All ethnic backgrounds * History of restricting-type anorexia nervosa (AN) according to DSM-5 criteria * Weight recovered with a body mass index \> 17.5 for at least one month at the time of study * Elevated eating disorder-relevant behaviors on the Eating Disorders Inventory-3 and the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire Healthy Control Group * Age 18-45 years old * Male and Female sexes * All ethnic backgrounds * Normal lifetime BMI according to CDC Exclusion Criteria: Weig…
Interventions
- Dietary SupplementTherapeutic Ketogenic Diet (TKD)
2 week induction to establish ketosis followed by 12 weeks therapeutic ketogenic diet
Location
- University of California San DiegoSan Diego, California