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Effects of Ketogenic Diet on Alcohol Intoxication

University of Pennsylvania · with National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) · NCT07602270

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Opens the official ClinicalTrials.gov record, with the study team’s contacts. Bored Studies doesn’t enroll anyone.

Key facts

Compensation
Not posted. Ask the study team before screening.
Who can join
Ages 21–50 · All sexes
Healthy volunteers
Accepted
Study type
Interventional · Not applicable
Target enrollment
20
US sites recruiting
1
Study start
May 14, 2026
Record last updated
August 4, 2026

Status re-checked against ClinicalTrials.gov within the last 12 hours.

What the study is about

The research study is being conducted to better understand the effects of ketosis on brain functioning and the acute effects of alcohol. Participants will be asked to undergo \~4 weeks of ketogenic diet intervention. The study involves three lab visits: Lab 1 before starting the diet, Lab 2 after about 2 weeks after starting the diet, and Lab 3 after being on the diet for 4 weeks. All of the labs will include an alcohol tolerance test, and blood draws. Lab 1 and Lab 3 will also include an Magnetic resonance imaging scan. Due to scheduling, study procedures at 2 and 4 weeks may occur +/- 3 days. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain will measure levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) (a coenzyme that is important for energy metabolism), lactate (a metabolite produced during energy metabolism), and neurotransmitters glutamate and GABA. Alcohol tolerance will be tested using a dose of alcohol (approximately 4-5 alcohol beverages) to will elevate breath alcohol levels to approximately 0.08% to measure the acute effects of alcohol. Blood samples will be collected to measure varying metabolites.

Being studied: Ketogenic diet

Conditions: Ketogenic Diet; Alcohol Drinking; Alcohol Use Disorder; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Alcohol Intoxication

Eligibility criteria

Copied from the official record. The study team makes the final decision at screening.

Show full criteria

Inclusion Criteria

  • Age 21 years to 50 years old.
  • Willingness to provide signed, informed consent and commit to completing study procedures. Reported on at least one day in the month prior to consent of consuming 2 or more standard alcohol drinks on a single day.

Exclusion Criteria

  • Unwilling or unable to refrain from use, within 24 hours of the alcohol lab procedures, psychoactive medications or medication that may affect study results.
  • Current 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.
  • 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)
  • 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).
  • 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).
  • Currently suffering from or has a history of stroke and/or stroke related spasticity.
  • 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).
  • Weight greater than 225lbs (Need to cap amount of alcohol given based on weight to individuals).
  • Females who are pregnant or breast-feeding
  • 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.

Recruiting US locations

  • Center for Studies of Addiction

    Philadelphia, PA 19104

    Site contact: Timothy Pond, MPH · 215-746-1959 · timpond@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Study contacts (from the official record)

  • Timothy S Pond, MPH · 215-746-1959 · timpond@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
  • Cindy Li, Ph.D. · 215-746-1950 · cindy.li@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
All nutrition & metabolism studies in Pennsylvania →
Effects of Ketogenic Diet on Alcohol Intoxication (NCT07602270) | Bored Studies