Could a High-Fat diet tame bipolar mood swings in teens?

NCT ID NCT06920940

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: University of California, Los Angeles Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether a 16-week ketogenic diet (low carbs, high fat, medium protein) can help teens aged 12–21 with bipolar disorder. Eighty participants will receive the diet plus standard medication, with coaching from dietitians and monthly checkups. Researchers will track mood, metabolism, and how well teens stick with the diet.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: ketogenic diet
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a dietary approach to help manage bipolar symptoms in teens alongside standard medication.
What could go wrong: This is an early, small pilot study (80 teens) testing feasibility, not a proven treatment. The strict diet may be hard to follow, and results may not apply to all teens with bipolar disorder.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for ADOLESCENTS are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

bipolar disorder bipolar I disorder bipolar II disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ADOLESCENTS BIPOLAR DISORDER (BD) BIPOLAR DISORDER I OR II BIPOLAR DISORDER NOS BIPOLAR SPECTRUM DISORDER

Contacts and locations

Locations

UCLA Semel Institute Max Gray Child and Adolescent Mood Disorders Program (CHAMP)
RECRUITING

Los Angeles, California, 90024, United States
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
RECRUITING

Cincinnati, Ohio, 45267, United States
University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus
NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Aurora, Colorado, 80045, United States
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213, United States

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.