A ketogenic diet approach to bipolar disorder in adolescents
LOCATION
UCLA, Univ Cincinnati, Univ Pittsburgh, Univ Colorado (live)
DURATION OF RECRUITMENT
April 1 2025- Oct 1 2026
TYPES OF BIPOLAR DISORDER INCLUDED
Bipolar I
Bipolar II
Bipolar Spectrum
At-Risk for Bipolar Disorder
IRB APPROVAL
This study has been IRB-approved
THE SCIENTIFIC QUESTION BEING STUDIED
WHO CAN TAKE PART IN THE STUDY?
Youth ages 12-21 years, bipolar I, II or unspecified, currently moderately or severely depressed; no health condition that would rule out a ketogenic diet (e.g., diabetes)
WHAT DOES THIS STUDY REQUIRE OF PARTICIPANTS?
16 weeks of maintaining a 3-meal/day keto diet; taking a finger-prick blood test every day and uploading results to secure server; monthly blood tests and symptom interviews; weekly online meetings with dietitian; monthly meetings with psychiatrist monitoring medications
WILL PARTICIPANTS BE COMPENSATED?
Yes, by cash card for all research measures; two meals per day will be provided by a meal delivery service (paid for by study)
This study is being conducted by David J. Miklowitz PhD, UCLA PI Megan Ichinose PhD, UCLA; Danielle Denenny PhD, UCLA, Melissa Delbello, MD, U Cincinnati; Chris Schneck MD, U Colorado; and Danella Hafeman MD, U Pittsburgh at the UCLA School of Medicine.
For more information, email Megan Ichinose at michinose@mednet.ucla.edu.