Psychiatric Disorders

Ketogenic Diet Reduces a Neurobiological Craving Signature in Inpatients with Alcohol Use Disorder

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is characterized by intense craving for alcohol and an inability to stop drinking despite severe consequences, including life-threatening chronic disease. Since medications used to treat AUD have side effects and are not always effective, identifying alternative treatments is crucial.

Emerging evidence suggests that shifting the brain’s energy source from glucose to ketones can reduce alcohol withdrawal severity and alcohol craving in individuals with AUD.

A recent study investigated the effects of a ketogenic diet on neurobiological markers of craving in hospitalized patients with AUD.

In this three-week randomized controlled trial, 33 patients were divided into a ketogenic diet group and a control group. Throughout the study their craving levels for alcohol and brain activity changes related to cravings were assessed.

The researchers reported the following key findings:

1. Reduction in Craving: The ketogenic diet group showed a significant reduction in both the neurobiological craving signature (NCS) and self-reported craving measures compared to the control group.
2. Neuroimaging Results: Functional MRI scans revealed decreased activation in brain regions associated with craving in the ketogenic diet group.
3. Biochemical Changes: Participants on the ketogenic diet experienced increased levels of β-hydroxybutyrate and reduced levels of insulin and glucose, suggesting enhanced ketone metabolism.

These findings suggest that a ketogenic diet seems to reduce neurobiological markers of craving in individuals with AUD. Although further research is needed to confirm these findings in larger, more diverse populations, a ketogenic diet could be a promising adjunctive treatment for AUD through modulation of brain activity and metabolic pathways.