Ketone drink shows promise for brain disorders in small study
NCT ID NCT06426134
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This pilot study tested whether a single dose of a ketone drink could improve information processing and cognition in 28 people with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Participants drank either the ketone drink or a carbohydrate drink, then had brain wave tests, cognitive tasks, and mood ratings. The study also looked at metabolism, inflammation, and circadian rhythm over five days.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- ketone drink (delta G Ketones)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a dietary supplement that helps with thinking and mood in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small pilot study with only 28 people, so results may not apply widely. It only tested a single dose, not long-term effects.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
28 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Dec 2024
- Finished
-
Apr 2026
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 years and older
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients with a first-episode psychosis (underlying schizophrenia-spectrum disorder), or patients with a (hypo)manic or depressive episode (underlying bipolar disorder) * Age \>= 18 years old * Receiving standard care (including antipsychotic and mood stabilizing medication) * Mentally competent to give informed consent: Exclusion Criteria: * Substance use as cause of psychosis or (hypo)mania * Substance use (other than nicotine) in the week prior to study onset * Intellectual disability * Diabetes mellitus (type 1 or type 2) * Metabolic disease impacting ketone metabolism (NB: these are rare disorders diagnosed during childhood) * Liver disease * Kidney disease * Cardiovascular disease * Pregnancy * Breastfeeding
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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
Locations
-
Amsterdam UMC, dept. Psychiatry
Amsterdam, North Holland, 1105 AZ, Netherlands
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