IF-MCT 16:8: Investigating the Influence of Intermittent Fasting With and Without MCTs in Patients With Drug-resistant Epilepsy (IF-MCT16:8)
The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Know the risks and potential benefits of clinical studies and talk to your health care provider before participating. Read our disclaimer for details. |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06013761 |
Recruitment Status :
Recruiting
First Posted : August 28, 2023
Last Update Posted : August 28, 2023
|
- Study Details
- Tabular View
- No Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
---|---|---|
Epilepsy Intermittent Fasting | Other: IF 16:8 as active comparator vs. IF MCT 16:8 as experimental arm | Not Applicable |
One in three patients suffering epilepsy does not become seizure-free with conventional pharmacotherapy. The chance of seizure freedom with each additional medication is only in the single-digit percentage range. For this reason, additive therapies such as the ketogenic diet play an important role. By means of a ketogenic diet, a significant reduction in the frequency of seizures has been shown in various studies for children. The main goal is the body's own production of ketone bodies in the liver, which are used instead of glucose to produce the energy carrier ATP. This metabolic change results in biochemical, metabolic and hormonal changes that may reduce the severity and frequency of epileptic seizures, although the exact mechanisms are not yet understood. Common to all forms of ketogenic diets (e.g. classic kKD, modified Atkins diet, low glycemic index diet) is a specific preparation of each meal with plans for meals and often an initiation of additive therapy in the inpatient setting or by trained staff. Especially in adulthood, the lack of treatment adherence seems to play an important role in the effectiveness of the ketogenic diet. A form of ketogenic diet which might be more suitable for everyday use is intermittent fasting.
The primary aim of the prospective monocentric pilot trial is to investigate the effect of intermittent fasting with and without a once-daily intake of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) on the frequency of seizures in patients with therapy-refractory epilepsy. The effects of 12 weeks intermittent fasting according to the 16:8 method (IF 16:8) are compared to 12 weeks intermittent fasting with additional intake of exogenous medium chain triglycerides (IF MCT 16:8) in a within-subject-crossover design in 28 patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. Secondarily, the influence of this diet on the composition of the gut microbiome, the T-cell mediated innate immune system and neuronal signalling pathways and networks will be investigated.
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Estimated Enrollment : | 28 participants |
Allocation: | Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Crossover Assignment |
Masking: | None (Open Label) |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | Monocentric Randomized Experimental Pilot Trial Investigating the Influence of Intermittent Fasting According to the 16:8 Method With and Without Medium-chain Triglycerides (MCTs) on Seizure Frequency, Biomarkers and Neural Networks in Patients With Drug-resistant Epilepsy |
Actual Study Start Date : | July 25, 2023 |
Estimated Primary Completion Date : | December 31, 2025 |
Estimated Study Completion Date : | December 31, 2025 |
Arm | Intervention/treatment |
---|---|
Active Comparator: IF 16:8
12 weeks intermittent fasting according to the 16:8 method (IF 16:8)
|
Other: IF 16:8 as active comparator vs. IF MCT 16:8 as experimental arm
12 weeks intermittent fasting according to the 16:8 method (IF 16:8) are compared with 12 weeks intermittent fasting with additional intake of exogenous MCTs (IF MCT 16:8) in a within-subject-crossover design in 28 patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. In order to enable the highest possible adherence, there are no restrictions on the composition of the food. |
Experimental: IF MCT 16:8
12 weeks intermittent fasting with additional intake of exogenous MCTs (IF MCT 16:8)
|
Other: IF 16:8 as active comparator vs. IF MCT 16:8 as experimental arm
12 weeks intermittent fasting according to the 16:8 method (IF 16:8) are compared with 12 weeks intermittent fasting with additional intake of exogenous MCTs (IF MCT 16:8) in a within-subject-crossover design in 28 patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. In order to enable the highest possible adherence, there are no restrictions on the composition of the food. |
- Effect of intermittent fasting according to the 16:8 method with and without exogenous MCTs on seizure frequency in drug-resistant epilepsy [ Time Frame: 3 months ]Monthly seizure frequency is recorded using standardized seizure diaries.
- Effect of intermittent fasting according to the 16:8 method on therapy adherence in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy [ Time Frame: 3 months ]The nutritional behavior during the studio is recorded using a standardized daily nutrition diary.
- Effect of intermittent fasting according to the 16:8 method with exogenous MCTs on ketosis in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy [ Time Frame: 3 months ]All participants measure their ketosis weekly with a standardized ketosis device during the fasting episode and document this in a ketosis table provided.
- Effect of intermittent fasting according to the 16:8 method on self-efficacy in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy [ Time Frame: 3 months ]Self-efficacy is determined using the scale of general self-efficacy expectation (Jerusalem & Schwarzer). This includes 10 items with 4 degrees. High scores mean a high level of general self-efficacy expectation.
- Effect of intermittent fasting according to the 16:8 method on life-quality in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy [ Time Frame: 3 months ]Life-quality is measured using the standardized questionnaire on life quality.
- Effect of intermittent fasting according to the 16:8 method with exogenous MCTs on biomarkers in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy [ Time Frame: 3 months ]The metabolome is examined using a mass spectroscopic blood sample. The microbiome is examined using a standardized stool sample using next-generation sequencing.
- Effect of intermittent fasting according to the 16:8 method with exogenous MCTs on neural networks in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy [ Time Frame: 3 months ]Neural networks are measured using magnetic resonance imaging (diffusion tensor imaging and resting state MRI).
- Effect of intermittent fasting according to the 16:8 method with exogenous MCTs on immune status in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy [ Time Frame: 3 months ]The immune status and in particular the T-cell mediated innate immune response is determined serologically.
- Effect of intermittent fasting according to the 16:8 method with exogenous MCTs on fatigue in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy [ Time Frame: 3 months ]Fatigue is measured using the standardized Fatigue-Impact-Scale (FIS)-Test.
- Effect of intermittent fasting according to the 16:8 method with exogenous MCTs on attention in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy [ Time Frame: 3 months ]Attention is measured using the standardized test battery for attention testing (TAP-Test).
- Effect of intermittent fasting according to the 16:8 method with exogenous MCTs on neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy [ Time Frame: 3 months ]The change in the neurotransmitter GABA is examined serologically over the period of the study phase.
- Effect of intermittent fasting according to the 16:8 method with exogenous MCTs on stress response in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy [ Time Frame: 3 months ]Stress response in hair cortisol of all participants is recorded using several hair samples.
- Effect of intermittent fasting according to the 16:8 method with exogenous MCTs on intima media thickness in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy [ Time Frame: 3 months ]Intima media thickness of all participants will be recorded with a duplex sonographic examination of the arteries supplying the brain.
Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.
Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years and older (Adult, Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria:
- Subjects able to provide informed consent
- Drug-resistant epilepsy
- At least 3 seizures per month
Exclusion Criteria:
- Pregnancy
- Breast feeding period
- Metabolic disorder (e.g. diabetes, liver cirrhosis, kidney disease)
- Eating Disorder (e.g. anorexia, bulimia)
- Chronic inflammatory gut disease
- Active cancerous disease
- Antibiotics within the last 3 months
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT06013761
Contact: Wiebke Hahn, MD | +49 642158 65348 | Hahnwi@staff.uni-marburg.de |
Germany | |
Philipps University Marburg, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Center | Recruiting |
Marburg, Hessen, Germany, Baldingerstr., 35043 | |
Contact: Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Center +49 6421 5865348 ezm@med.uni-marburg.de |
Principal Investigator: | Wiebke Hahn, MD | Philipps University Marburg Medical Center |
Responsible Party: | Susanne Knake, Principal investigator, Philipps University Marburg Medical Center |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT06013761 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
23-92 BO |
First Posted: | August 28, 2023 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | August 28, 2023 |
Last Verified: | August 2023 |
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement: | |
Plan to Share IPD: | No |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: | No |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: | No |
Drug-resistant epilepsy Intermittent fasting Seizure frequency |
Biomarkers Neural networks Microbiome |
Epilepsy Drug Resistant Epilepsy Brain Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Nervous System Diseases |