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Effects of Acute Ketone Supplementation on the Brain

Effects of Acute Ketone Supplementation on the Brain [KETO-BRAIN]

Who can join

Ages 45 to 65 · All sexes · Healthy volunteers welcome

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age ≥45 years and ≤65 years
2. Able to comply with study requirements including presenting for each test session following an overnight fast and not following a ketogenic diet during the duration of the study.
3. BMI between 18.5 and 30 kg/m2

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Non-English Speaking
2. Currently taking a ketone ester supplement, ketone salt supplement, or on a ketogenic diet
3. Pregnancy, a urine pregnancy test will be given to all women before scanning to confirm nonpregnant status
4. Currently breastfeeding
5. Allergies to components in the test products, including milk protein, and not lactose intolerant
6. History of high blood pressure
7. History of alcoholism (previous 2 years)
8. History of illicit drug use
9. History of head trauma involving loss of consciousness or skull fracture
10. Diagnosed neurological disease
11. Taking psychiatric prescriptive medications (antipsychotics, antidepressants, or barbiturates) or over-the-counter (OTC) medications (other than those taken as nutritional supplements for non-therapeutic indications)
12. Current smoker
13. Currently consuming a habitual ketogenic diet, or was consuming a habitual ketogenic diet in the past three months
14. Any condition or material in the body that is a contraindication for MRI procedures

About the study

The purpose of this study is to determine how a ketone ester supplement affects brain function, brain blood flow, and brain metabolism in healthy middle-aged and older adults. Ketones are naturally produced by the body during periods of fasting or carbohydrate restriction and serve as an alternative fuel source for the brain. Researchers are interested in whether increasing blood ketone levels through supplementation can alter brain activity and blood flow in ways that may support healthy brain function.

Participants will consume a ketone ester supplement and a placebo in separate study visits. Brain imaging, blood measurements, and cognitive testing will be used to evaluate the effects of each intervention. Findings from this study will help researchers better understand how ketones influence the healthy aging brain and may provide preliminary data for future studies in populations at risk for cognitive decline.

What is being tested

• Ketone Ester Drink (dietary supplement)
• Placebo (dietary supplement)

Sponsor: Christopher Crabtree · Participants: 24 · Started: Jun 15, 2026

Contact the study team

• Christopher Crabtree, Ph.D. · Phone: 614-688-5623

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT07711990

Locations in the U.S.

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 29, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.