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Science: Research Database

Decades of both exploratory and rigorous scientific research demonstrate that mental illness often arises from metabolic dysfunction affecting the brain. A growing body of published papers are establishing the connection between underlying metabolic function and cognition, perception, mood and behavior.

Clinical Trials

Publications about research trials in humans that share observations or the outcomes of an intervention

Case Series

Detailed accounts of individual or group experiences and outcomes with a particular intervention or condition.

Protocols

Papers outlining the design and methodology of a planned, completed, or ongoing clinical trial.

Reviews

Articles that synthesize findings from multiple studies to highlight the current understanding of a topic.

Pre-clinical

Early stage research that tests potential treatments in the lab to assess safety and effectiveness before they move to human trials.

Analysis

Research papers that examine data to draw conclusions or uncover patterns, relationships, or new insights.


We maintain a growing database of published scientific papers related to metabolism and mental health across a variety of psychiatric diagnoses, including Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Major Depression, Anorexia, Binge Eating Disorder, Alcohol Use Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and more.

Pre-clinical

A combination of ketogenic diet and voluntary exercise ameliorates anxiety and depression-like behaviors in Balb/c mice

A combination of ketogenic diet and voluntary exercise ameliorates anxiety and depression-like behaviors in Balb/c mice
Gumus, et al.
  • Diagnosis

    Depression, Anxiety

  • Institution

    Dokuz Eylul University

This pre-clinical study found that combining a ketogenic diet with regular voluntary exercise significantly reduced anxiety and depression-like behaviors in an animal model.

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Pre-clinical

Fasting or the short-term consumption of a ketogenic diet protects against antipsychotic-induced hyperglycaemia in mice

Fasting or the short-term consumption of a ketogenic diet protects against antipsychotic-induced hyperglycaemia in mice
Shamshoum, et al.
  • Diagnosis

    Schizophrenia

  • Institution

    University of Guelph

This pre-clinical study found that combining a ketogenic diet with regular voluntary exercise significantly reduced anxiety and depression-like behaviors in an animal model.

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Pre-clinical

Effects of beta-hydroxybutyrate administration on MK-801-induced schizophrenia-like behaviour in mice

Effects of beta-hydroxybutyrate administration on MK-801-induced schizophrenia-like behaviour in mice
Kraeuter, et al.
  • Diagnosis

    Schizophrenia

  • Institution

    Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University

This pre-clinical study hypothesizes that chronic administration of BHB (beta-hydroxybutyrate) replicates the therapeutic effects of ketogenic diet for schizophrenia in mice.

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Pre-clinical

Ketogenic diet prevents impaired prepulse inhibition of startle in an acute NMDA receptor hypofunction model of schizophrenia

Ketogenic diet prevents impaired prepulse inhibition of startle in an acute NMDA receptor hypofunction model of schizophrenia
Kraeuter, Buuse, Sarnyai
  • Diagnosis

    Schizophrenia

  • Institution

    James Cook University

Researchers at James Cook University suggest that metabolically-based intervention, shown through animal models, might have therapeutic value in the management of schizophrenia.

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Pre-clinical

Ketogenic diet reverses behavioral abnormalities in an acute NMDA receptor hypofunction model of schizophrenia

Ketogenic diet reverses behavioral abnormalities in an acute NMDA receptor hypofunction model of schizophrenia
Kraeuter, et al.
  • Diagnosis

    Schizophrenia

  • Institution

    Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University

A pre-clinical study that investigated whether a ketogenic diet could reverse schizophrenia-like behavioral changes in mice caused by acute NMDA receptor hypofunction—a common experimental model for schizophrenia.

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Pre-clinical

Ketogenic Food Ameliorates Activity-Based Anorexia of Adult Female Mice

Ketogenic Food Ameliorates Activity-Based Anorexia of Adult Female Mice
Dong, et al.
  • Diagnosis

    Anorexia Nervosa

  • Institution

    New York University

This pre-clinical study focuses on the ketogenic diet reducing the severity on an Anorexia Nervosa relapse through the reduction of compulsive exercise.

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Pre-clinical

Modeling combined schizophrenia-related behavioral and metabolic phenotypes in rodents

Modeling combined schizophrenia-related behavioral and metabolic phenotypes in rodents
Sarnyai, Jashar, Olivier
  • Diagnosis

    Schizophrenia

  • Institution

    James Cook University

This pre-clinical study focuses on selected genetic, early neurodevelopmental and pharmacological animal models that capture the combined behavioral and metabolic abnormalities shown by schizophrenic patients.

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Analysis

Ketosis and bipolar disorder: controlled analytic study of online reports

Ketosis and bipolar disorder: controlled analytic study of online reports
Campbell, Campbell
  • Diagnosis

    Bipolar Disorder

  • Institution

    University of Edinburgh

This analysis paper aims to investigate associations between a ketogenic diet and mood stabilization among individuals with bipolar disorder.

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Reviews

Therapeutic ketogenic diet as treatment for anorexia nervosa

Therapeutic ketogenic diet as treatment for anorexia nervosa
Frank, Scolnick
  • Diagnosis

    Anorexia Nervosa

  • Institution

    University of California

This review paper describes a neurological model for why ketogenic therapy could address key alterations in anorexia nervosa and prevent the desire for weight loss.

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Reviews

Ketogenic diet as a metabolic treatment for mental illness

Ketogenic diet as a metabolic treatment for mental illness
Norwitz, Sethi, Palmer
  • Institution

    Oxford University

This review paper aims to explain how ketogenic diets can improve mental illness biopathology and review the recent clinical literature.

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Reviews

Linking Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Neurotransmitter, and Neural Network Abnormalities and Mania: Elucidating Neurobiological Mechanisms of the Therapeutic Effect of the Ketogenic Diet in Bipolar Disorder

Linking Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Neurotransmitter, and Neural Network Abnormalities and Mania: Elucidating Neurobiological Mechanisms of the Therapeutic Effect of the Ketogenic Diet in Bipolar Disorder
Freyberg, Andreazza, McClung, Phillips
  • Diagnosis

    Bipolar

  • Institution

    University of Pittsburgh

This review paper describes recent findings, highlighting 2 types of neurobiological abnormalities in BD: 1) mitochondrial dysfunction and 2) neurotransmitter and neural network functional abnormalities.

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Protocols

Protocol for the Use of the Ketogenic Diet in Preclinical and Clinical Practice

Protocol for the Use of the Ketogenic Diet in Preclinical and Clinical Practice
Kraeuter, Guest, Sarnyai
  • Institution

    James Cook University

This protocol paper reviews the commonly used best practices involved in applications of the ketogenic diet to facilitate its translation into clinical use.

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Protocols

The Effect of Exogenous Ketones on Signs and Symptoms of Schizophrenia Spectrum and Bipolar Disorders: Study Protocol for a Triple-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Crossover Pilot Study

The Effect of Exogenous Ketones on Signs and Symptoms of Schizophrenia Spectrum and Bipolar Disorders: Study Protocol for a Triple-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Crossover Pilot Study
Dielemans, et al.
  • Diagnosis

    Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder

  • Institution

    Parnassia Psychiatric Institute

This ongoing triple-blind, randomized controlled crossover trial investigates the effects of a single ingestion of KE (ketone esters) on signs and symptoms of schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs) and…

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Protocols

Ketogenic-Mimicking Diet as a Therapeutic Modality for Bipolar Disorder: Biomechanistic Rationale and Protocol for a Pilot Clinical Trial

Ketogenic-Mimicking Diet as a Therapeutic Modality for Bipolar Disorder: Biomechanistic Rationale and Protocol for a Pilot Clinical Trial
Bohnen, et al.
  • Diagnosis

    Bipolar Disorder

  • Institution

    University of Michigan

This pilot clinical trial protocol aims to investigate the effect of a ‘ketogenic-mimicking diet’ on neural network stability, mood, and biomarker outcomes in the setting of bipolar disorder.

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Case Series

Transdiagnostic remission of psychiatric comorbidity in post-traumatic stress disorder, ADHD, and binge-eating disorder using ketogenic metabolic therapy: a retrospective case report

Transdiagnostic remission of psychiatric comorbidity in post-traumatic stress disorder, ADHD, and binge-eating disorder using ketogenic metabolic therapy: a retrospective case report
Bellamy, Laurent
  • Diagnosis

    PTSD, ADHD, Binge-Eating Disorder

  • Institution

    University of East London

A case series on a 38 years-old female participating in a structured 8 weeks KMT psychoeducation program to put PTSD, ADHD, BED, and more into remission.

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Case Series

Remission of obsessive-compulsive disorder using ketogenic metabolic therapy in support of exposure and response prevention: a retrospective case report

Remission of obsessive-compulsive disorder using ketogenic metabolic therapy in support of exposure and response prevention: a retrospective case report
Laurent, Tague
  • Diagnosis

    OCD

  • Institution

    Family Renewal, Inc.

This case study explores the adjunctive use of ketogenic metabolic therapy (KMT) in conjunction with ERP for a 26-year-old man with treatment-resistant OCD over 12 weeks.

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Case Series

Ketogenic metabolic therapy in the remission of chronic major depressive disorder: a retrospective case study

Ketogenic metabolic therapy in the remission of chronic major depressive disorder: a retrospective case study
Laurent, Bellamy, Hristova, Houston
  • Diagnosis

    Depression

  • Institution

    University of Oxford, University of East London

This case study examines a 47-year-old woman with lifelong treatment-resistant MDD who achieved complete remission and improved functioning through a ketogenic diet.

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Case Series

Remission from Chronic Anorexia Nervosa With Ketogenic Diet and Ketamine: Case Report

Remission from Chronic Anorexia Nervosa With Ketogenic Diet and Ketamine: Case Report
Scolnick, et al.
  • Diagnosis

    Anorexia Nervosa

  • Institution

    Internal Medicine & Addiction Medicine

A case series of a 29 year-old woman who struggled with severe anorexia who experienced a complete recovery following a ketogenic diet and ketamine infusions.

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Case Series

The ketogenic diet and remission of psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia: Two case studies

The ketogenic diet and remission of psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia: Two case studies
Palmer, Gilbert-Jaramillo, Westman
  • Diagnosis

    Schizophrenia

  • Institution

    McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School

A case series of two patients with schizophrenia who achieve full remission of psychotic symptoms after following a ketogenic diet.

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Case Series

Ketogenic diet in the treatment of schizoaffective disorder: Two case studies

Ketogenic diet in the treatment of schizoaffective disorder: Two case studies
Palmer
  • Diagnosis

    Schizoaffective Disorder

  • Institution

    McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School

A case series looking at glucose intolerance and insulin resistance, and how the ketogenic diet can help people with schizoaffective disorder.

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Clinical Trials

Ketogenic diet reduces a neurobiological craving signature in inpatients with alcohol use disorder

Ketogenic diet reduces a neurobiological craving signature in inpatients with alcohol use disorder
Wiers, Manza, Wang, Volkow
  • Diagnosis

    Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

  • Institution

    National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

A clinical trial paper demonstrating the use of ketogenic diet intervention to reduce alcohol withdrawal severity and alcohol cravings.

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Clinical Trials

A pilot study of a ketogenic diet in bipolar disorder: clinical, metabolic and magnetic resonance spectroscopy findings

A pilot study of a ketogenic diet in bipolar disorder: clinical, metabolic and magnetic resonance spectroscopy findings
Campbell, et al.
  • Diagnosis

    Bipolar

  • Institution

    University of Edinburgh

A pilot study aiming to assess the impact of a ketogenic diet in bipolar disorder on clinical, metabolic and magnetic resonance spectroscopy outcomes.

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Clinical Trials

Pilot study of a ketogenic diet in bipolar disorder: a process evaluation

Pilot study of a ketogenic diet in bipolar disorder: a process evaluation
Rigby, et al.
  • Diagnosis

    Bipolar

  • Institution

    Newcastle University

A process evaluation providing insights into the experiences of people living with bipolar disorder initiating and following a ketogenic diet.

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Reviews

Brain and body energy metabolism and potential for treatment of psychiatric disorders

Brain and body energy metabolism and potential for treatment of psychiatric disorders
Andreazza, et al.
  • Diagnosis

    Mental Health Disorders

  • Institution

    University of Toronto

A review that highlights how brain function relies heavily on energy metabolism and that disruptions in this process are common in neuropsychiatric disorders.

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Reviews

Editorial: Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy as a Treatment for Mental Health Disorders

Editorial: Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy as a Treatment for Mental Health Disorders
Ede, Zupec-Kania, Masino
  • Diagnosis

    Mental Health Disorders

A collection of research exploring the potential of ketogenic metabolic therapy as a novel, low-risk intervention for a wide range of neuropsychiatric conditions.

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Case Series

Ketogenic Diet as a Therapeutic Intervention for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Case Series of Three Patients

Ketogenic Diet as a Therapeutic Intervention for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Case Series of Three Patients
MacDonald, Palmer
  • Diagnosis

    OCD

  • Institution

    McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School

A case series of three individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) who achieve medication-free remission and a 90.5% reduction in symptoms after adopting a ketogenic diet.

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Case Series

Remission of OCD and Ulcerative Colitis With A Ketogenic Diet: Case Report

Remission of OCD and Ulcerative Colitis With A Ketogenic Diet: Case Report
Calabrese
  • Diagnosis

    OCD, Ulcerative Colitis

A case study describing the first clinical application of a ketogenic diet in adult OCD with ulcerative colitis (UC) resulting in complete remission of OCD, clinical remission of UC, and improved metabolic health.

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Case Series

Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy For Schizoaffective Disorder: A Retrospective Case Series of Psychotic Symptom Remission and Mood Recovery

Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy For Schizoaffective Disorder: A Retrospective Case Series of Psychotic Symptom Remission and Mood Recovery
Laurent, et al.
  • Diagnosis

    Schizoaffective Disorder

  • Institution

    University of Oxford, University of East London

A case series of two individuals who experienced full remission of psychotic and mood symptoms after implementing ketogenic metabolic therapy.

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Reviews

Exploring the Potential of the Ketogenic Diet in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Metabolic, Genetic, and Therapeutic Insights

Exploring the Potential of the Ketogenic Diet in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Metabolic, Genetic, and Therapeutic Insights
Schrickel, et al.
  • Diagnosis

    Autism

  • Institution

    Leiden University

A ketogenic diet may benefit individuals with autism spectrum disorder by addressing underlying metabolic and neuroprotective mechanisms.

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Protocols

The effects of ketogenic metabolic therapy on mental health and metabolic outcomes in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: a randomized controlled clinical trial protocol

The effects of ketogenic metabolic therapy on mental health and metabolic outcomes in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: a randomized controlled clinical trial protocol
Longhitano, et al.
  • Diagnosis

    Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder

  • Institution

    James Cook University

A clinical trial protocol to investigate whether a ketogenic diet can reduce psychiatric and metabolic symptoms in individuals with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and schizoaffective disorder by comparing it…

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Case Series

Retrospective Case Study: Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy in the Effective Management of Treatment-Resistant Depressive Symptoms in Bipolar Disorder

Retrospective Case Study: Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy in the Effective Management of Treatment-Resistant Depressive Symptoms in Bipolar Disorder
Laurent
  • Diagnosis

    Bipolar Disorder

A case study about how ketogenic therapy improved treatment-resistant depressive symptoms in a patient with bipolar disorder, leading to a stabilized mood, enhanced quality of life, and reduced medication…

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Analysis

Metabolic Insights into Neuropsychiatric Illnesses and Ketogenic Therapies: A Transcriptomic View

Metabolic Insights into Neuropsychiatric Illnesses and Ketogenic Therapies: A Transcriptomic View
Sahay
  • Institution

    University of Toledo

Disruptions in metabolic pathways are linked to serious mental illness and suggest that ketogenic interventions may help restore metabolic balance based on gene expression data analysis.

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Analysis

Understanding the Experiences of Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy for People Living with Varying Levels of Depressive Symptoms: A Thematic Analysis

Understanding the Experiences of Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy for People Living with Varying Levels of Depressive Symptoms: A Thematic Analysis
Erin Bellamy, et al.
  • Diagnosis

    Depression

  • Institution

    University of East London

Analysis demonstrating that in lived experience accounts of ketogenic therapy for depressive symptoms, pros outweigh cons for participants.

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Reviews

The Ketogenic Diet as a Treatment for Mood Disorders

The Ketogenic Diet as a Treatment for Mood Disorders
Ozan, Chouinard, Palmer
  • Diagnosis

    Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Depression

  • Institution

    McLean Hospital

Review of evidence about how ketogenic diets may improve mood disorders by targeting metabolic dysfunctions, including mitochondrial issues, inflammation, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance, as explored in recent…

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Clinical Trials

Ketogenic Diet Intervention on Metabolic and Psychiatric Health in Bipolar and Schizophrenia: A Pilot Trial

Ketogenic Diet Intervention on Metabolic and Psychiatric Health in Bipolar and Schizophrenia: A Pilot Trial
Sethi, et al.
  • Diagnosis

    Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia

  • Institution

    Stanford University

A 4-month clinical trial at Stanford of ketogenic diet for serious mental illness showed promising preliminary results indicating remission of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia in participants who adhered…

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Case Series

Complete Remission of Depression and Anxiety Using a Ketogenic Diet: Case Series

Complete Remission of Depression and Anxiety Using a Ketogenic Diet: Case Series
Calabrese, et al.
  • Diagnosis

    Depression

  • Institution

    Innovative Psychiatry, LLC

A case series of three adults who achieve complete remission of major depression and generalized anxiety disorder with a ketogenic dietary intervention.

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Clinical Trials

Pilot Study of A Ketogenic Diet in Bipolar Disorder

Pilot Study of A Ketogenic Diet in Bipolar Disorder
Smith, Needham, Campbell
  • Diagnosis

    Bipolar Disorder

  • Institution

    The University of Edinburgh

A clinical trial paper demonstrating the safety and efficacy of using ketogenic therapy in bipolar disorder.

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Analysis

Toward a Precision Treatment Approach for Metabolic Depression: Integrating Epidemiology, Neuroscience, and Psychiatry

Toward a Precision Treatment Approach for Metabolic Depression: Integrating Epidemiology, Neuroscience, and Psychiatry
Watson, et al.
  • Diagnosis

    Depression

  • Institution

    Stanford University (Rasgon Lab)

This study looked at people with both type 2 diabetes and depression, finding that standard treatments might not work as well for them. It tested whether adding a…

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Case Series

Animal-Based Ketogenic Diet Puts Severe Anorexia Nervosa into Multi-Year Remission: A Case Series

Animal-Based Ketogenic Diet Puts Severe Anorexia Nervosa into Multi-Year Remission: A Case Series
Norwitz, et al.
  • Diagnosis

    Anorexia Nervosa

  • Institution

    Harvard Medical School

Researchers at Harvard published this case series suggesting a ketogenic diet may be useful for some patients with anorexia nervosa.

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Reviews

The Role of Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy on the Brain in Serious Mental Illness: A Review

The Role of Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy on the Brain in Serious Mental Illness: A Review
Sethi, Ford
  • Diagnosis

    Schizophrenia

  • Institution

    Stanford University & UCSF

Drs. Shebani Sethi and Judy Ford call for more clinical trials to address the potential beneficial effects of the ketogenic diet in people with serious mental illness.

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Clinical Trials

Modified Ketogenic Diet and Ketamine for Anorexia Nervosa

Modified Ketogenic Diet and Ketamine for Anorexia Nervosa
Calabrese, et al.
  • Diagnosis

    Anorexia Nervosa

  • Institution

    Innovative Psychiatry, LLC

A small pilot trial demonstrated safety and efficacy for adults with chronic psychopathology and supports specific neurobiological mechanisms that can be normalized using therapeutic ketogenic diet and ketamine.

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Case Series

Ketogenic Diet for Refractory Mental Illness: A Retrospective Analysis of 31 Inpatients

Ketogenic Diet for Refractory Mental Illness: A Retrospective Analysis of 31 Inpatients
Danan, et al.
  • Diagnosis

    Bipolar Disorder, Schizoaffective, Depression

  • Institution

    University of Toulouse

Dr. Albert Danan showed that in a French cohort of treatment-resistant inpatients, all experienced weight loss and psychiatric symptom reduction, with nearly half no longer meeting criteria for…

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Clinical Trials

Treating Insulin Resistance With Metformin as a Strategy to Improve Clinical Outcomes in Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Depression

Treating Insulin Resistance With Metformin as a Strategy to Improve Clinical Outcomes in Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Depression
Calkin, et al.
  • Diagnosis

    Bipolar Disorder

  • Institution

    Dalhousie University

Dr. Cynthia Calkin and colleagues demonstrate that improving insulin sensitivity in treatment-resistant bipolar depression led to remission after decades of illness.

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Reviews

Mechanisms of insulin resistance, mitochondrial dysfunction and the action of the ketogenic diet in bipolar disorder.

Mechanisms of insulin resistance, mitochondrial dysfunction and the action of the ketogenic diet in bipolar disorder.
Campbell, Campbell
  • Diagnosis

    Bipolar Disorder

  • Institution

    The University of Edinburgh

Drs. Harry and Iain Campbell suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction in bipolar disorder likely stems from issues with the Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex (PDC), leading to reduced energy production (ATP)….

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Reviews

Ketogenic Therapy in Serious Mental Illness: Emerging Evidence

Ketogenic Therapy in Serious Mental Illness: Emerging Evidence
Sarnyai, Palmer
  • Diagnosis

    Schizophrenia

  • Institution

    James Cook University & McLean Hospital

A commentary reviewing the emerging evidence supporting the use of nutritional ketosis as a treatment for serious mental illness.

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Research Videos

33:49

Metabolic Therapies for Psychiatry: State of the Evidence