Ketogenic therapy as a potential novel treatment approach for PTSD: an integrative review and proposed mechanistic model
Abstract
Background: Brain and body metabolic disruptions have been suggested in several studies as a mechanism underlying posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Therapies targeting metabolic pathways might provide new treatment options. This review explores the potential of ketogenic therapies, such as the ketogenic diet and ketone supplementation, as novel metabolic treatments for PTSD. Methods: An integrative review was conducted. We searched PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, PsycArticles, PSYNDEX, MEDLINE, ClinicalTrials.gov, International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and EU Clinical Trials Register for clinical, preclinical, observational, mechanistic, and review studies that reported outcomes or mechanisms on the intersection of ketogenic therapy and PTSD. Methodological quality of included studies was assessed independently by two reviewers based on predefined criteria. Results: Sixteen articles (9 human, 4 animal studies, 3 reviews) were eligible and included in the present review. Several metabolic and signaling pathways through which ketogenic therapies could impact PTSD pathophysiology were identified. Preclinical data suggestive of potential efficacy were identified, while only minimal reliable information is available from human studies. Discussion: Importantly, the absence of larger clinical trials and the reliance on low-level evidence substantially limit current interpretations. High-quality randomized and adequately powered clinical trials are required to examine the potential role of ketogenic therapies in treating PTSD.
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BibTeX
@article{engelhardt2026ketogenic,
title = {{Ketogenic therapy as a potential novel treatment approach for PTSD: an integrative review and proposed mechanistic model}},
author = {Robin Engelhardt and John O Ogedengbe and Malvina S Millet and Mira E G Ayad and Inga Schalinski and Timo von Oertzen and Anna Rieckmann and David Effinger and Simon Hirschberger and Christopher M Palmer and Georgia Ede and Shane W Kraus and Dominik Trommer and Louis Schreel and Julia Tulipan and Bailey Way and Roman-Ulrich Müller and Allison Hull and Jürgen Maes and Marc N Potenza},
journal = {Frontiers in Psychiatry},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1854499},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05781960v1},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Ketogenic therapy as a potential novel treatment approach for PTSD: an integrative review and proposed mechanistic model
AU - Robin Engelhardt
AU - John O Ogedengbe
AU - Malvina S Millet
AU - Mira E G Ayad
AU - Inga Schalinski
AU - Timo von Oertzen
AU - Anna Rieckmann
AU - David Effinger
AU - Simon Hirschberger
AU - Christopher M Palmer
AU - Georgia Ede
AU - Shane W Kraus
AU - Dominik Trommer
AU - Louis Schreel
AU - Julia Tulipan
AU - Bailey Way
AU - Roman-Ulrich Müller
AU - Allison Hull
AU - Jürgen Maes
AU - Marc N Potenza
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/06
JO - Frontiers in Psychiatry
DO - 10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1854499
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05781960v1
AB - Background: Brain and body metabolic disruptions have been suggested in several studies as a mechanism underlying posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Therapies targeting metabolic pathways might provide new treatment options. This review explores the potential of ketogenic therapies, such as the ketogenic diet and ketone supplementation, as novel metabolic treatments for PTSD. Methods: An integrative review was conducted. We searched PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, PsycArticles, PSYNDEX, MEDLINE, ClinicalTrials.gov, International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and EU Clinical Trials Register for clinical, preclinical, observational, mechanistic, and review studies that reported outcomes or mechanisms on the intersection of ketogenic therapy and PTSD. Methodological quality of included studies was assessed independently by two reviewers based on predefined criteria. Results: Sixteen articles (9 human, 4 animal studies, 3 reviews) were eligible and included in the present review. Several metabolic and signaling pathways through which ketogenic therapies could impact PTSD pathophysiology were identified. Preclinical data suggestive of potential efficacy were identified, while only minimal reliable information is available from human studies. Discussion: Importantly, the absence of larger clinical trials and the reliance on low-level evidence substantially limit current interpretations. High-quality randomized and adequately powered clinical trials are required to examine the potential role of ketogenic therapies in treating PTSD.
SN - 1664-0640
ER -