Ketogenic Diet for Weight-Recovered Anorexia Nervosa to Support Metabolism and Eating-Disorder Symptoms
Official title: Ketogenic Diet in Weight Recovered Anorexia Nervosa to Target Metabolism and Normalize Persistent Eating Disorder Psychopathology
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11510050 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research project will test a ketogenic diet to see if it helps people who have recovered weight from anorexia nervosa by normalizing brain metabolism and reducing core eating-disorder thoughts and behaviors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $879,294 |
| NIH project number | 4R33MH134909-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11510050 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with a history of anorexia nervosa who have achieved weight recovery but still experience core eating-disorder thoughts and body image concerns.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals currently with active severe malnutrition or those unable to adhere to a ketogenic dietary protocol may not benefit and could be unsafe to participate.
What this research studies
This project focuses on people who have recovered weight from anorexia nervosa and will examine how a ketogenic diet affects brain metabolism and eating-disorder symptoms. It uses PET imaging with [18F]FDG to measure brain glucose use and looks for changes that relate to eating behaviors and body-image concerns. The study has two phases: a first phase to establish target engagement and safety of the diet, followed by linking those metabolic targets to AN-related behaviors, with a healthy control group for comparison.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could provide a metabolic-targeted option to support lasting recovery in AN and reduce core symptoms.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggest ketosis may help with AN core behaviors, but this approach remains exploratory with limited replication.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Frank, Guido Kw — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Frank, Guido Kw
Related research
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.