Ketogenic trials with Parkinson’s disease-specific outcomes lacking

The ketogenic diet, as well as ketogenic agents, has been shown to be a promising therapeutic regimen for Parkinson’s disease (PD) in animals, but research on humans is highly heterogenous and lacking PD-specific outcomes, according to a study.

Researchers conducted a systematic review and synthesis of studies related to the efficacy of ketogenic therapy in PD in animals and humans. They searched multiple online databases and identified articles fulfilling the inclusion criteria.

A total of 12 studies, four in humans and eight in animals, were included in the qualitative synthesis. Interventions evaluated were ketogenic diets, supplementation with medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, caprylic acid administration, and ketone ester drinks. In the animal research, zebrafish and rodents were used, with PD being toxin-induced.

Based on the available trials, ketogenic therapy fell short of improving motor coordination and functioning, cognitive impairment, anthropometrics, blood lipids and glycaemic control, as well as exercise performance or voice disorders in patients with PD.

Additionally, the evidence seemed to be diffused and heterogenous, with single trials assessing different outcomes. Thus, the conclusiveness of the evidence regarding the efficacy of ketogenic therapy inconclusiveness could not be ascertained.

On the other hand, animal studies demonstrated a trend toward promising results, with marked improvements in locomotor activity, dopaminergic activity, redox status, and inflammatory markers.

More studies are required to recommend or refute the use of ketogenic therapy in PD.