Could potato starch help liver patients think clearly?
NCT ID NCT06425380
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This pilot study at Mayo Clinic is testing whether a dietary supplement called resistant potato starch can change gut bacteria in people with cirrhosis who have had episodes of confusion (hepatic encephalopathy). Eleven participants will take 20 grams of potato starch twice daily for 4 weeks. Researchers will measure changes in stool short-chain fatty acids and a simple animal-naming test to see if the starch affects brain function.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Resistant potato starch (Bob's Red Mill® potato starch)
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward a simple dietary supplement to help manage hepatic encephalopathy by improving gut health.
What could go wrong
This is a very small pilot study with only 11 people and no placebo group. It is designed to see if the starch changes gut bacteria, not to prove it treats symptoms. Results may not lead to a treatment.
Disclaimer
Read more
Show less
This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for CIRRHOSIS are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Show contact details
Enter your email to view the contact information for this study.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Study contacts
-
Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
-
Mayo Clinic
RECRUITINGRochester, Minnesota, 55902, United States
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Contact
-
Mayo Clinic
RECRUITINGRochester, Minnesota, 55905, United States