Ketogenic Diet and Neurological Disorders

The Ketogenic Diet and its Resurgence

• The ketogenic diet has been historically well-known but less popular than other diets, but it is currently experiencing a surge in interest from researchers and consumers.
• This surge is driven by recent discoveries about metabolic roadblocks and their impact on normal neuron functions.

Potential in Neurological Disorders

• Human clinical studies suggest the ketogenic diet has huge potential in treating complex neurological disorders.
• The diet has been successful in epilepsy treatment, with empirical studies on animal models creating benchmarks for its use in this area.

Challenges in Animal Research

• There is a translational gap between animal studies and human clinical trials, which needs to be addressed.
• Epileptic etiologies and manifestations in animal models are more heterogeneous than believed, making research more challenging.

The Need for Rigorous Research

• Experimental animal research is necessary to clear the high stakes, and it requires an unprecedented level of rigor, creativity, depth, and breadth.

Ongoing Human Clinical Trials

• Clinicians are motivated to conduct carefully designed human clinical trials, including "n of 1" clinical practices.
• These trials can provide multiple lines of evidence, making them practical and substantive.

Explore the ketogenic diet's potential in treating complex neurological disorders, including its historical background and recent research advancements.