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Feasibility and Efficacy of the Ketogenic Diet in Alzheimer's Disease

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Alzheimer Disease
Registration Number
NCT03690193
Lead Sponsor
University of Kansas Medical Center
Brief Summary

The purpose of the KDRAFT study is to assess the feasibility and preliminary cognitive efficacy of a ketogenic diet therapy in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
15
Inclusion Criteria
  • Alzheimer's disease (CDR 0.5, 1, & 2)
  • Active study partner
  • BMI > 21
  • English speaking
Exclusion Criteria
  • BMI < 21
  • Consume greater than 14 drinks of alcohol per week
  • Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
  • Diagnosis of active cancer
  • Myocardial infarction or symptoms of coronary artery disease (e.g. angina) in last year

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in blood ketone levels induced by ketogenic dietChange from baseline serum beta-hydroxybutyrate levels at month 1, 2, 3 (end of ketogenic diet), and 4 (after 1-month washout).

Serum beta-hydroxybutyrate levels will be measured at five monthly study visits; baseline prior to diet initiation, three monthly collections during the ketogenic diet intervention, and after the 1-month washout return to a regular diet.

Proportion of days positive for urinary ketone productionDaily for 90 days (the length of the diet intervention)

Participants will measure and report daily urinary ketone status using Ketostix (Bayer, Germany).

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Dietary intake characterization prior to and after ketogenic diet initiationDietary intake will be collected at Baseline, Month 1, Month 2, Month 3

Changes in food and nutrient intake will be assessed by monthly 3-day food records completed by participant study partners.

Change in cognitive performance on the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE)Change from baseline global cognitive scores at month 3 (end of ketogenic diet) and change from month 3 global cognitive scores at month 4 (end of 1-month washout).

Global cognitive performance will be assessed by a psychometrician using the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE). The MMSE is a brief cognitive questionnaire with a maximum score of 30 points where higher scores indicate better cognitive performance.

Change in cognitive performance on the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog)Change from baseline global cognitive scores at month 3 (end of ketogenic diet) and change from month 3 global cognitive scores at month 4 (end of 1-month washout).

Global cognitive performance will be assessed by a psychometrician using the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog). The ADAS-Cog is an Alzheimer's disease specific, multi-domain cognitive assessment scored from 0-70 points with higher scores indicating poorer cognitive performance.

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