Effects of Ketogenic Diet and Intermittent Ketone Ester Injections in Demyelinated Mice
In a mouse study, both a ketogenic diet (KD) and intermittent ketone ester injections (iKE) led to increased levels of circulating βHB compared to a standard diet. They also showed higher myelin basic protein (MBP) immunoreactivity, indicating potential myelin repair effects.
- Tags
- #MSResearch
- Most relevant to
- —
- Human efficacy
- Not yet assessed
- Mechanism
- Not yet assessed
- Evidence strength
- Not yet assessed
- Outcome
- Not yet assessed
Why it matters
These findings suggest that KD and iKE may promote myelin recovery, which is important for understanding therapeutic approaches for demyelinating conditions like multiple sclerosis. However, the exact mechanisms behind these effects are still unclear.
What this does not prove
The study's results do not confirm that CNS ketone availability causes these effects. Further investigation is needed to fully understand the impact of these metabolic interventions on myelin repair.
Next milestone
No next milestone was established from the available source.
Study facts
- Study design
- Not reported
- Participants / samples
- Not reported
- Randomised
- Not reported
- Controlled
- Not reported
- Primary endpoint met
- Not reported
- Relevant MS type
- Not reported
- Publication date
- 2026-10-10
- Evidence reviewed
- Abstract only
- Regulatory approval
- Not reported
- Research areas
- Not classified
Original sources
- Primary evidenceEarly myelin-associated histological and cellular findings following ketogenic diet or ketone ester treatment in a cuprizone/rapamycin mouse model. ↗DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2026.107978
Supporting passages (6)
publication date2026-10-10
interventionMETHODS: Male C57BL/6 mice underwent cuprizone/rapamycin demyelination for 6 weeks and, after an additional 7-day rapamycin washout with continued cuprizone exposure, received 9 days of standard diet (SD), ketogenic diet (KD), or intermittent ketone ester injections (iKE) during early recovery.
primary endpointRESULTS: Both KD and iKE resulted in higher sampled circulating βHB values than SD at selected time points and were associated with higher myelin basic protein (MBP) immunoreactivity than SD.
follow up9 days
findingsRESULTS: Both KD and iKE resulted in higher sampled circulating βHB values than SD at selected time points and were associated with higher myelin basic protein (MBP) immunoreactivity than SD.
limitationsThe accompanying cellular findings warrant further study of metabolic interventions in myelin repair; whether CNS ketone availability mediated these findings remains undetermined.
AI assessment, not yet reviewed by a person · version 1 · Community votes are separate from evidence review.