Study of Ketogenic Versus Standard Carbohydrate Diet Effects on Brain Function and Hypoglycemia Tolerance in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating how a ketogenic diet affects the brain function and tolerance to low blood sugar hypoglycemia in people with type 1 diabetes T1D. The study aims to understand how ketones, produced when following a ketogenic diet, may protect the brain during low blood sugar episodes. This research focuses on young adults with T1D, exploring how nutritional ketosis could reduce cognitive problems caused by hypoglycemia, which is common in diabetes management. Participants will follow either a very low carbohydrate ketogenic diet or a standard carbohydrate diet for 12 weeks, with all meals delivered to them. The ketogenic diet consists of 5% carbohydrates, 75% fat, and 20% protein, while the standard diet contains 50% carbohydrates, 30% fat, and 20% protein. Researchers will perform insulin infusions to gradually lower blood sugar from normal to low levels while using MRI scans to observe brain activity and connectivity during these changes. Some participants will also receive an oral ketone drink to study the effects of ketones on brain function. During the study, participants will undergo continuous brain imaging and blood tests to measure glucose, ketones, hormones, and cognitive responses like reaction time and symptoms of hypoglycemia. Researchers will compare brain activity during normal and low blood sugar states and assess cognitive performance. The study monitors participants for safety and gathers detailed data on how diet influences brain responses to hypoglycemia over the 12-week period.

Effects of Ketosis on Brain Function in Patients With T1DM