Research Areas

Research in Focus: The potential protective effects of ketogenic diets in brain disorders

The ketogenic diet is a recognised therapy for epilepsy in children with poorly controlled seizures, as well as, more recently, in adults. It is a strict diet high in fats and low in carbohydrates, which makes the body burn fat for energy instead of glucose (a process called ketosis).

This has led researchers to investigate the potential benefits of nutritional ketosis in other conditions, with possible improvements being reported in mild cognitive impairment, early Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autistic spectrum disorder. These share abnormalities in the metabolism of glucose, suggesting that a ketogenic diet may be useful.

It is important to understand how ketosis brings about these improvements before it can be considered as a potential treatment for brain disorders. Researchers at the IMPACT Institute, a collaboration between Barwon Health and Deakin University, conducted a review of worldwide research to provide a potential answer to this question.

This study suggests that ketosis may reduce the damage to the brain caused by brain disorders by changing the way some brain cells, known as astrocytes, react to the damage. Astrocytes are star shaped cells that have a supporting role in making sure the brain remains healthy and functions normally. When damaged by disease or injury, astrocytes try to defend the brain by growing bigger and multiplying via a process called astrogliosis.

Ironically, the effects of astrogliosis often play a major role in the development and acceleration of brain disorders, and is it through changing this pathway that nutritional ketosis is thought to have its protective effect.

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IMPACT and Barwon Health MHDAS testing diet and exercise to treat COVID-19 related depression

A new collaboration between Barwon Health and Deakin University researchers is testing the powerful potential of food and physical activity to restore mental well-being among people feeling distressed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Geelong based trial, by the Barwon Health Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol Services (MHDAS) and the Heart and Mind Research Group at the Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), will deliver an eight-week, group-based, ‘CALM’ telehealth program, designed to reduce the mental health symptoms in adults with elevated psychological distress.

The trial, funded through a Medical Research Future Fund COVID-19 Mental Health Research grant, will directly evaluate the health impacts and the cost-effectiveness of the CALM program in comparison with established psychotherapy in patients presenting to Barwon Health via the Emergency Department or MHDAS.

IMPACT Heart and Mind Research Director Associate Professor Adrienne O'Neil said the 'CALM' program was based on well-established evidence for the use of diet and exercise as a treatment for mental health conditions.

"Lifestyle targets are the cornerstone for prevention and management of diabetes and heart disease, but not currently for mental disorders," Associate Professor O'Neil said.

"There is good evidence diet and exercise can complement standard care, but we don't know if they are as good as standard psychological care.

"This is the first study to test this approach directly with psychotherapy in a real-world mental health setting. This evidence is critical if we are to see lifestyle-based care become an embedded part of mental health care in the future. We hope this will provide future treatment options for people with mental health concerns."

Patients will be encouraged to continue taking any prescribed medication throughout the study.

In addition to Deakin University and Barwon Health, collaborative partners in the study include Monash University, the University of the Sunshine Coast and the University of New South Wales.

Michael Berk recognised as world-leading scientist

In 2019, Director of IMPACT Michael Berk was recognised as a world-leading scientist at the 2019 Victoria Prize and Fellowship Awards. Professor Berk was awarded the Victoria Prize for Life Sciences, acknowledging his research into risk factors, novel therapies, and effective treatments of psychiatric conditions such as bipolar disorder and depression.