Energy Metabolism and Cognitive Aging
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00777010 |
Recruitment Status
:
Completed
First Posted
: October 22, 2008
Last Update Posted
: March 24, 2017
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Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
---|---|---|
Mild Cognitive Impairment | Other: Ketogenic diet Other: Healthy high carbohydrate diet | Not Applicable |
Obesity and metabolic disturbance are recognized as important risks for disorders such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, and cancer. However, these conditions also contribute to age-related cognitive decline and dementia. In particular, insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia promote neurocognitive dysfunction and neurodegenerative changes during the extended pre-clinical phase of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The prevalence of both metabolic disturbance and dementia are increasing dramatically, and in the absence of effective treatment, preventive approaches are essential to address the ominous public health concern represented by Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Dietary intervention is a promising and under-investigated preventive option. Regimens involving restricted carbohydrate consumption designed to induce ketone metabolism have been shown to improve metabolic parameters. In addition, ketone metabolism is associated with a host of benefits for neural function, among them enhanced mitochondrial energy production and reduction of neuropathological factors. Ketone feeding studies have demonstrated acute functional improvement in older adults with neurocognitive decline.
This research is designed to assess the efficacy of strict carbohydrate restriction in correcting hyperinsulinemia and improving neurocognitive function in older adults with early memory decline. Recently, we have shown that relatively brief intervention involving a low carbohydrate, ketogenic diet can improve memory in subjects with Mild Cognitive Impairment. We would like to extend these initial findings by adding new study arms involving older adult subjects with Parkinson's disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment. We also will increase the intervention period from six weeks to eight weeks.
Aim 1: To evaluate the effect of adaptation to ketosis on cognitive function in older adults with Age-Associated Memory Impairment (AAMI) and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).
Hypothesis 1. Subjects with AAMI and MCI will show improved working memory and long-term memory ability after practicing a low carbohydrate, ketogenic diet for six weeks relative to comparison subjects who maintain a typical, high carbohydrate, nonketogenic diet.
Aim 2: To assess the effect of ketone metabolism on memory and motor function in subjects with Parkinson's disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment after eight (8) weeks of dietary intervention.
Hypothesis 2. Subjects with Parkinson's disease and MCI will show improved working memory and long-term memory function after practicing a low carbohydrate, ketogenic diet for eight weeks relative to comparison subjects who consume a typical, high carbohydrate nonketogenic diet.
Hypothesis 3. Subjects with Parkinson's disease and MCI will show improved motor function after practicing a low carbohydrate, ketogenic diet for eight weeks relative to comparison subjects who consume a typical, high carbohydrate nonketogenic diet.
We also will evaluate changes in mood, ketone body levels, serum lipids, inflammatory markers, and fasting glucose and insulin and assess relationships of these factors with the primary outcome measures. We will obtain diet records during the intervention to assess adherence to the protocol.
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Actual Enrollment : | 62 participants |
Allocation: | Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Parallel Assignment |
Intervention Model Description: | Parallel groups, randomized controlled nutritional intervention. |
Masking: | None (Open Label) |
Primary Purpose: | Prevention |
Official Title: | Energy Metabolism and Cognitive Aging |
Study Start Date : | September 1, 2008 |
Actual Primary Completion Date : | December 31, 2016 |
Actual Study Completion Date : | March 15, 2017 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
---|---|
Active Comparator: Healthy high carbohydrate diet
Participants will follow a typical, higher carbohydrate dietary intervention with emphasis on lower glycemic carbohydrate foods and monounsaturated fatty acid consumption
|
Other: Healthy high carbohydrate diet
higher carbohydrate diet
|
Experimental: Carbohydrate restricted, ketogenic diet
Paricipants will follow a carbohydrate restricted dietary intervention designed to induce ketone metabolism
|
Other: Ketogenic diet
carbohydrate restricted diet
|
- improvement in memory testing [ Time Frame: 6 or 8 weeks ]
- correlation between diet, metabolic factors, memory performance, and cerebral activation [ Time Frame: 6 or 8 weeks ]

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Ages Eligible for Study: | 50 Years and older (Adult, Senior) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age 60 years or older
- Mild cognitive impairment
Exclusion Criteria:
- Diabetes
- Medications that have effect on memory
- Memory problems due to medical issues (ie head injury, stroke, untreated sleep apnea etc.)
- Unable to complete an MRI scan

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT00777010
United States, Ohio | |
University of Cincinnati | |
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, 45219 |
Principal Investigator: | Robert Krikorian, PhD | University of Cincinnati |
Responsible Party: | Robert Krikorian, Professor, University of Cincinnati |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00777010 History of Changes |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
04-09-17-01 |
First Posted: | October 22, 2008 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | March 24, 2017 |
Last Verified: | March 2017 |
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement: | |
Plan to Share IPD: | No |
Keywords provided by Robert Krikorian, University of Cincinnati:
memory loss mild cognitive impairment forgetfulness |
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Cognitive Dysfunction Cognition Disorders Neurocognitive Disorders Mental Disorders |