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Ketogenic diet for schizophrenia: clinical implication
Zoltán Sarnyai1,2, Ann-Katrin Kraeuter1,2, Christopher M Palmer3
1Laboratory of Psychiatric Neuroscience, Centre for Molecular Therapeutics, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine.
Current Opinion in Psychiatry
|June 14, 2019
Summary
The ketogenic diet shows promise for schizophrenia by improving brain energy metabolism. This review explores its efficacy in models and patients, suggesting a novel therapeutic avenue.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Metabolic Disorders
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Schizophrenia is linked to impaired brain glucose and energy metabolism.
- Mitochondrial dysfunction and abnormal glucose handling contribute to synaptic communication deficits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the efficacy of the ketogenic diet in schizophrenia.
- To explore the rationale and mechanism of action for ketogenic diet in schizophrenia.
Main Methods:
- Review of preclinical studies in mouse models.
- Analysis of case studies in human patients.
- Examination of transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic, and NMR spectroscopy data.
Main Results:
- Ketogenic diet normalizes schizophrenia-like behaviors in mouse models.
- Ketogenic diet improves psychiatric symptoms, metabolic dysfunctions, and body composition in patients.
- Evidence supports a bioenergetic dysfunction in schizophrenia.
Conclusions:
- Ketogenic diet may offer a novel therapeutic approach by restoring brain energy metabolism.
- Further randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm efficacy as a co-treatment for schizophrenia symptoms and metabolic abnormalities.
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