Brain Small Chain Fatty Acid Metabolism in Parkinson Disease: Ketones

Brain Small Chain Fatty Acid Metabolism in Parkinson Disease: Ketones

Small exploratory open-label pilot study to assess supplementation of a ketone ester (KetoneAid) as a potential therapy for persons with Parkinson disease (PD), Parkinson Disease Dementia/Lewy Body Dementia (PDD/LBD), and healthy controls.

The overarching goal of this study is to investigate glucose metabolic, cognitive, clinical and imaging changes in persons with PD and PDD/LBD before and after a month supplementation of a ketone ester (KetoneAid) in a small open label exploratory clinical trial. Positive findings in this small exploratory pilot trial may support future target engagement studies of ketone supplementation in PD and normal adults.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy control volunteers over 45 years of age
• People with Parkinson Disease over 45 years of age
• People with Parkinson's Disease Dementia or Lewy Body Dementia over 45 years of age

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participants with contra-indications to MR imaging, including pacemakers or claustrophobia;
• Evidence of large vessel stroke or mass lesion on MRI
• Regular use of anti-cholinergic, benzodiazepines, high dose (>100mg QD) of quetiapine, or neuroleptic drugs
• History of significant GI disease
• Significant metabolic or uncontrolled medical comorbidity
• Poorly controlled diabetes
• Pregnancy or breast feeding
• Current excessive alcohol use
• Suicidal ideation