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The Effects of Exogenous Ketones on Cognitive Function

University of Alabama at Birmingham · NCT07051655

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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 19–55 · All sexes
Healthy volunteers
Accepted
Study type
Interventional · Not applicable
Target enrollment
45
US sites recruiting
1
Study start
December 1, 2025
Record last updated
July 13, 2026

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

What the study is about

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the acute effects of exogenous ketone monoester (KME) supplementation on cognitive function in three groups of adults aged 19-55 years: (1) obese, sedentary individuals; (2) lean, sedentary individuals; and (3) lean individuals who engage in regular physical activity (e.g., collegiate or amateur athletes). The main questions it aims to answer are to:

  • Assess the effects of acute KME supplementation versus placebo on cognitive, sensorimotor, and functional outcomes within groups.
  • Compare cognitive performance across the three groups.

The primary outcome is cognitive performance assessed using the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery. Secondary Outcomes include sensorimotor performance, measured using the Senaptec Sensory System, and driving performance, assessed with a driving simulator.

Being studied: Ketone Monoester (KE); Placebo

Conditions: Placebo - Control; Ketone Monoester

Eligibility criteria

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

Show full criteria

Inclusion Criteria

  • Age 19-55 years
  • BMI 30-40 (obese group) or 18-25 (lean and athlete groups)
  • Sedentary status (\<2 hrs/week of structured physical activity) for obese and lean groups
  • Active athlete status (≥5 days/week of structured activity) for athlete group

Exclusion Criteria

  • Diagnosed neurological conditions (e.g., Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia, muscular dystrophy, stroke, cerebral palsy)
  • History of seizures
  • Use of medications for diabetes, mood disorders, or attention disorders
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Current or recent use (within 1 month) of exogenous ketone supplements or adherence to a ketogenic diet

Recruiting US locations

  • 916 Building

    Birmingham, AL 35205

    Site contact: Sarah K Sweatt, PhD · 205-975-5398 · sksweatt@uab.edu

Study contacts (from the official record)

  • Sarah K Sweatt, PhD · 205-975-5398 · sksweatt@uab.edu
  • Eric Plaisance · plaisep@uab.edu
All healthy volunteers studies in Alabama →
The Effects of Exogenous Ketones on Cognitive Function (NCT07051655) | Bored Studies