Effect of Nutritional Ketosis on Alcohol Metabolism

Description

The research study is being conducted in health controls to better understand the effects of ketosis on brain functioning after 3 different, randomly assigned, 3-day dietary interventions and the acute effects of alcohol after consuming about 4-5 alcohol beverages. The labs visits will use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to study the brain, measuring levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), lactate, neurotransmitters glutamate, and Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).

Conditions

Ketoses, Metabolic, Ketogenic Dieting, Alcohol Intoxication, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Alcohol Drinking

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

The research study is being conducted in health controls to better understand the effects of ketosis on brain functioning after 3 different, randomly assigned, 3-day dietary interventions and the acute effects of alcohol after consuming about 4-5 alcohol beverages. The labs visits will use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to study the brain, measuring levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), lactate, neurotransmitters glutamate, and Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).

Effect of Nutritional Ketosis on Alcohol Metabolism

Effect of Nutritional Ketosis on Alcohol Metabolism

Condition
Ketoses, Metabolic
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Philadelphia

University of Pennsylvania Center for Studies of Addiction, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19104

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • 1. Willingness to provide signed, informed consent and commit to completing study procedures.
  • 2. Reported on at least one day in the month prior to consent of consuming 2 or more standard alcohol drinks on a single day.
  • 1. Unwilling or unable to refrain from use, within 24 hours of the alcohol lab procedures, psychoactive medications or medication that may affect study results.
  • 2. Current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) diagnosis of any major psychiatric disorder (other than nicotine use disorders, or marijuana use disorders) as identified by clinical examination or structured interview that could interfere with study participation or make it hazardous for the subject.
  • 3. Currently taking medication(s) that could interfere with study participation or make it hazardous for the subject to participate. (e.g. anticholinergics; antipsychotics; lithium; psychotropic drugs not otherwise specified)
  • 4. Positive urine drug screen, positive for all substances but marijuana at screening or study visits (may be repeated once and if the result is negative on repeat, it is not exclusionary).
  • 5. A current, clinically significant physical disease or abnormality on the basis of medical history, or routine laboratory evaluation that can impact brain function, the use of a ketone supplement, administration of ketogenic diet, or the use of alcohol (e.g., epilepsy, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, liver disease, kidney disease, kidney stones, chronic metabolic acidosis or a cardiomyopathy as determined by history and clinical exam).
  • 6. Currently suffering from or has a history of stroke and/or stroke related spasticity.
  • 7. Head trauma with loss of consciousness for more than 30 minutes or associated with skull fracture, inter-cranial bleeding or abnormal MRI (self-report, medical history).
  • 8. Weight greater than 225lbs (Need to cap amount of alcohol given based on weight to individuals).
  • 9. Females who are pregnant or breast-feeding
  • 10. Contraindication to MRI, including presence of ferromagnetic objects, claustrophobia or fear of enclosed, medical conditions that prevent subjects from lying comfortably flat on his/ her back for up to 2 hrs.

Ages Eligible for Study

21 Years to 50 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

University of Pennsylvania,

Corinde Wiers, Ph.D., PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of Pennsylvania

Henry Kranzler, MD, STUDY_DIRECTOR, University of Pennsylvania

Kyle Kampman, MD, STUDY_DIRECTOR, University of Pennsylvania

Study Record Dates

2026-12