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Ketones help ADD symptoms

Food and Behaviour Research: Murphy & Burnham 2006 - The ketogenic diet causes a reversible decrease in activity level in Long-Evans rats

The ketogenic diet causes a reversible decrease in activity level in Long-Evans rats
Murphy P, Burnham WM. (2006) Exp Neurol. 201(1) 84-9. Epub 2006 Jun 5
Web URL: View this and related abstracts via Pubmed here


Abstract: Individuals with epilepsy also often exhibit symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The ketogenic diet, which is a high fat, low protein, and low carbohydrate diet used in the treatment of intractable epilepsy, also appears to improve symptoms of ADHD in individuals with both disorders. Previous research suggests that the diet decreases the activity level of rats. The purpose of the present research was to further investigate the effects of the ketogenic diet on activity level, using an animal model. Two experiments were conducted. The first experiment examined the time frame and reversibility of the effect of the diet on activity level. The second experiment examined the relationship between activity level and anxiety level. In both experiments, adult male Long-Evans rats were placed on either a ketogenic diet or a control diet. The results of the first experiment show that the ketogenic diet can cause a decrease in activity level within 24 h and that the results are reversible. The results of Experiment 2 show that the decrease in activity level is not linked to a change in anxiety level. The ketogenic diet may be of use in the treatment of ADHD.

FAB Research Comment:

While it's too early to draw conclusions from this study to the management of ADHD in humans, it's of obvious interest that activity levels were reversibly lowered with this dietary intervention. The same diet has previously been found to ameliorate some aspects of mood disorder in animal models (see Murphy et al 2004).

It is unfortunate that many reports refer to so-called 'high-fat' diets without emphasising that different *types* of fat have very different implications for both physical health and brain function. A very low intake of protein and carbohydrate can also have serious side-effects.

The ketogenic diet is already used in some cases for the management of serious epilepsy, but in our view, no such diet as this should ever be attempted without expert professional advice. For more practical dietary information on the management of ADHD
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