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Study details
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Ketone Ester Intervention in Alcohol Use Disorder

University of Pennsylvania
NCT IDNCT04616781ClinicalTrials.gov data as of Apr 2026
Phase

Phase 2/3

Target enrollment

20

Study length

about 5.7 years

Ages

21–65

Locations

1 site in PA

What this study is about

Researchers are testing whether a ketone ester can affect brain function and alcohol consumption in people who drink alcohol regularly. The trial will compare the effects of drinking the ketone ester to drinking a placebo that looks and tastes similar. Participants will undergo brain scans and complete an alcohol consumption paradigm after each drink.

Simplified from trial records by PatientMatch.

What you may be asked to do

  • 1.Alcohol drinks
  • 2.Ketone Ester (R)-3-hydroxybutyl (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate
  • 3.Take Isocaloric dextrose placebo

Participation Burden

What's physically and logistically required of participants.

Logistics & Travel
In-person visits

Requires travel to a study site

Physical Intervention
Standard

How treatment is administered

Treatment Assignment
Randomized & Blinded

You may get a placebo/standard care, and you won't know which.

Extracted study details

Pulled from the trial record to show what is being tested and what the study is measuring.

Endpoints

Secondary: Determine whether KE elevates brain ketone bodies using magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Body systems

Psychiatry / Mental Health