Investigation of the Relationship Between Peripheral and Central Metabolic Changes Caused by Fasting

NCT ID: NCT07178106

Last Updated: 2025-09-17

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 12 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2024-10-04
• Study Completion Date: 2024-11-28

Brief Summary

Fasting has become an increasingly popular intervention for improving both physical and mental health. This study aims to explore the biological mechanisms underlying the positive effects of low caloric fasting (Wilhelmi-Buchinger-fasting). Specifically, we focus on the metabolic transition from glucose to fat utilization and its effects on systemic and brain metabolism. By examining the relationship between peripheral metabolic changes and brain metabolism, this research aims to uncover how these shifts influence brain metabolism and behaviour.

Detailed Description

Therapeutic fasting, specifically Buchinger fasting, is a widely recognized method in integrative medicine. It is frequently used to treat a variety of chronic diseases, including inflammatory and metabolic disorders. In addition to its benefits for physical health, fasting is increasingly recognized for its potential to improve mental health.

Research has shown that fasting can induce significant biological effects, including the metabolic switch, which involves the transition from glucose to fat as the primary energy source. This shift typically occurs around day two of the fasting period and has important implications for peripheral metabolism. However, little is known about how these peripheral metabolic changes are linked to brain metabolism and how this connection might affect brain network function and, ultimately, psychological and cognitive processes.

Recent studies have shown that fasting influences both peripheral metabolism and brain function, with potential benefits for mental health. The precise mechanisms and timing of these changes remain unclear. The current study will focus on understanding (i) how peripheral metabolic changes during fasting relate to central metabolic changes in the brain, (ii) how these changes affect brain network function over time, and (iii) the connection between these metabolic and functional brain changes with psychological and cognitive alterations during fasting.

This study will use detailed metabolic profiling and neuroimaging techniques, alongside psychological assessments, to explore these complex interactions in healthy, fasting individuals, providing a foundation for further research into its potential as an intervention for mental health disorders.

Conditions

Healthy

Study Design

• Allocation Method: NA
• Intervention Model: SINGLE_GROUP
• Primary Study Purpose: BASIC_SCIENCE
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Participant Group/ Arm

Healthy participants

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Fasting

Intervention Type: OTHER

Participants undergo the standardised Wilhelmi-Buchinger fasting intervention, which consists of two days of preparation with a dietary energy supply of \<1000 kcal, three days of fasting with a dietary energy supply of 300-500 kcal with tea, broth, fruit and vegetable juices, and two days of recovery.

Interventions

Fasting

Participants undergo the standardised Wilhelmi-Buchinger fasting intervention, which consists of two days of preparation with a dietary energy supply of \<1000 kcal, three days of fasting with a dietary energy supply of 300-500 kcal with tea, broth, fruit and vegetable juices, and two days of recovery.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Other Intervention Names

Wilhelmi-Buchinger-fasting

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Normal weight at study inclusion (BMI 18.5-25)
• Generally good physical condition without serious previous illnesses
• For female participants, only participants taking hormonal contraception are included

Exclusion Criteria

• MRI contraindication: cardiac pacemakers, hearing aids, neurostimulation, insulin pumps, other potentially ferromagnetic implants, screws, clips, prostheses, metal splinters, etc., pregnancy, claustrophobia, extensive tattoos, medication that impairs thermoregulation
• Comorbidity: neurological or psychiatric conditions, cognitive impairments, chronic somatic disorders
• Intake of more than 40g of pure alcohol (for men) or more than 20g of pure alcohol (for women), smoking, regular drug use
• Pregnancy or nursing
• Current or within the past five years eating disorder, vegan diet or fasting within the past six months
• Regular medication intake

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 40 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

University Hospital, Bonn

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Nils Opel

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Nils Opel

Prof Dr med

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Sharmili Edwin Thanarajah, PD Dr med

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Goethe University

Nils Gassen, Prof Dr

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University Hospital, Bonn

Locations

Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Jena

Jena, Thuringia, Germany

Countries

Germany

Other Identifiers

2024-3502_1-BO

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id