Actively Recruiting
Ketogenic Diet and Brain Response in Anorexia Nervosa
Led by University of California, San Diego · Updated on 2026-04-23
90
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
273 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
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.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Ketogenic Diet and Brain Response in Anorexia Nervosa
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Weight recovered anorexia nervosa individuals aged 18 to 45 years
- Male and female participants of all ethnic backgrounds
- History of restricting-type anorexia nervosa according to DSM-5
- Body mass index greater than 17.5 for at least one month at study entry
- Elevated eating disorder behaviors on specific questionnaires
- Healthy controls aged 18 to 45 years
- Healthy controls with normal lifetime body mass index according to CDC
- Healthy controls of all genders and ethnic backgrounds
You will not qualify if you...
- Current pregnancy or nursing for weight recovered anorexia nervosa participants
- Lifetime bipolar I disorder or psychosis
- Current substance abuse or dependence within past 3 months
- Psychotic illness, dementia, somatization or conversion disorders
- Significant head trauma history
- Intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder indications
- Healthy controls with any lifetime psychiatric illness or eating disorder history
- Healthy controls taking medications or with a first-degree relative with eating disorder
- Any participant with mental retardation, organic brain syndrome, dementia, psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, somatic symptom, or conversion disorder
- Current alcohol or substance use disorder
- Major medical illnesses including seizure disorder history
- Presence of intracranial or metal objects near head that cannot be removed
- Implanted neurostimulators, intracardiac lines, or heart disease
- Diabetes or metabolic disorders that could worsen with ketogenic diet
- History of traumatic brain injury
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University of California San Diego
San Diego, California, United States, 92121
Actively Recruiting
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
1
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