Investigating the Evolutionary Impact of Metabolic Flexibility on Physical Activity-Dependent BDNF and Cognition: Insights From the Val66Met Polymorphism

NCT ID: NCT07218497

Last Updated: 2025-10-20

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

PHASE1

Total Enrollment

50 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-11-01

Study Completion Date

2027-05-01

Brief Summary

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The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a state of ketosis and physical activity will increase serum BDNF concentrations and improve cognition, specifically in individuals who possess the Met allele from the BDNF Val66Met SNP. The main questions it aims to answer are:

* Does the combination of ketosis and physical activity increase serum BDNF concentrations and cognition?
* Do Met Carriers of the BDNF Val66Met SNP demonstrate a significantly larger change in serum BDNF after physical activity and a state of ketosis compared to Val/Val Homozygotes?
* Do Met Carriers of the BDNF Val66Met SNP demonstrate a significantly larger increase in cognition after physical activity and a state of ketosis compared to Val/Val Homozygotes?

Researchers will compare a ketosis supplement to a placebo (a look-alike substance that contains no drug) to see if the ketosis supplement and physical activity increases serum BDNF and improves cognition.

Participants will:

* Participate in a drug trial where they will be given the ketosis supplement, and a placebo trial where they will ingest a placebo.
* Participants will donate a whole blood sample and take a cognitive test before and after the ketosis and placebo trial.
* Participants will take a 30-minute treadmill test during both the ketosis and placebo trial, after ingesting either the drug or placebo for each respective trial.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Cognition BDNF

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

CROSSOVER

Primary Study Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Participants

Study Groups

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Ketosis Trial

Participants will be given a sugar-free electrolyte mixture with d-beta-hydroxybutrate to drink in a 1:1 ratio calculated to 0.1816g/lb based on body weight before the treadmill test.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

d-beta-hydroxybutrate

Intervention Type DRUG

During the ketosis trial, participants will be given d-beta-hydroxybutrate mixed with sugar-free gatorade in a 1:1 ratio. This is to ensure the participant's electrolytes are high and to mask the bitter taste of d-beta-hydroxybutrate. The dosage per participant will be calculated 0.1816g/lb based on body weight to ensure participants remain in a state of ketosis for a minimum of 2 hours.

Placebo Trial

Participants consume a placebo consisting of a pure sugar-free electrolyte drink before treadmill test. The grams of placebo will be calculated 0.1816g/lb based on body weight.

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Placebo

Intervention Type DRUG

Participants will consume a placebo consisting of a pure electrolyte drink.

Interventions

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d-beta-hydroxybutrate

During the ketosis trial, participants will be given d-beta-hydroxybutrate mixed with sugar-free gatorade in a 1:1 ratio. This is to ensure the participant's electrolytes are high and to mask the bitter taste of d-beta-hydroxybutrate. The dosage per participant will be calculated 0.1816g/lb based on body weight to ensure participants remain in a state of ketosis for a minimum of 2 hours.

Intervention Type DRUG

Placebo

Participants will consume a placebo consisting of a pure electrolyte drink.

Intervention Type DRUG

Other Intervention Names

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Ketosis Supplement

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Healthy young adults
* 18 years old to 35 years old
* give informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

* Diabetics
* history of low blood sugar
* limited physical abilities unable to participate in an aerobic treadmill test
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

35 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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University of Southern California

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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David Raichlen

Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

Central Contacts

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Anamika Nanda

Role: CONTACT

4254639902 ext. 01

Facility Contacts

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Anamika Nanda

Role: primary

4254639902

Other Identifiers

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APP-24-05903

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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