Skip to content
Study details
Enrolling now

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

About this study

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.

Based on ClinicalTrials.gov records.

What participants do

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

Participation effort

Estimated from trial records. Details can vary by site.

Time + visits
Low15%
Logistics
Moderate50%

Logistics difficulty varies by site location and availability.

Trial highlights

Treatment details

Auto-extracted from trial records to preview treatments and outcomes.

Endpoints

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

Body systems

Psychiatry / Mental Health