Ketogenic diet reduces alcohol withdrawal symptoms in humans and alcohol intake in rodents

Authors: Corinde E. Wiers, Leandro F. Vendruscolo, Jan-Willem van der Veen, Peter Manza, Ehsan Shokri‐Kojori, Danielle S. Kroll, Dana E. Feldman, Katherine McPherson, Catherine L. Biesecker, Rui Zhang, Kimberly Herman, Sophie K. Elvig, Janaina C. M. Vendruscolo, Sara A. Turner, Shanna Yang, Melanie L. Schwandt, Dardo Tomasi, Mackenzie C. Cervenka, Anders Fink‐Jensen, Helene Benveniste, Nancy Diazgranados, Gene‐Jack Wang, George F. Koob, Nora D. Volkow - Science Advances 2021 cited by 76

= 14). Over a 3-week treatment, KD compared to SA showed lower "wanting" and increased dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) reactivity to alcohol cues and altered dACC bioenergetics (i.e., elevated ketones and glutamate and lower neuroinflammatory markers). In a rat model of alcohol dependence, a history of KD reduced alcohol consumption. We provide clinical and preclinical evidence for beneficial effects of KD on managing alcohol withdrawal and on reducing alcohol drinking.