Ketogenic Diet Study

STUDY BASICS

Have you been diagnosed with bipolar disorder? Are you 18-40 years old? You may be eligible for a research study to examine the effects of a ketogenic diet (high fat, low sugar diet) on the brain in people with bipolar disorder. Compensation is provided.

STUDY PURPOSE

The purpose of this research study is to find out how a ketogenic diet influences brain structure and function in adults with bipolar disorder. The findings may help increase knowledge of and find better ways to diagnose and treat psychiatric disorders in the future.

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?

Eligible participants:

• Are ages 18-40
• Are diagnosed with bipolar disorder 

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

If you qualify to participate in the study, you will then come in for an MRI visit and blood draw. MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging. MRI is a type of imaging that uses magnetic fields to take pictures of your brain.

You will also wear a watch that monitors your activity levels, have 2 additional MRI visits, test your blood twice daily using a device similar to a glucose meter, and complete 4 more lab blood draws. Before one of the MRI visits, you will follow a ketogenic diet for 8-10 weeks. A ketogenic diet is a very low carbohydrate, high fat diet. Before the other MRI visit, you will not follow a ketogenic diet for 8-10 weeks. You will meet with a dietitian, and we will give you a handout with information on what food adheres to the ketogenic diet.

Each visit will take approximately 2-3 hours. You will be compensated for each aspect of the study (in person screen & scan, blood draws, wearing an actigraphy watch).