Natasha Wilson, a teaching fellow in physical activity and health at the University of Abertay, is participating in a £7.9m clinical trial investigating whether a ketogenic diet can reduce depressive symptoms in people with bipolar disorder, STV News reported. The ENERGISE-BD study examines if dietary changes can improve mental health outcomes and alter brain chemistry.
The ENERGISE-BD Trial Compares Diet Approaches for Bipolar Depression
Led by the universities of Edinburgh and Birmingham, the randomised controlled trial compares a ketogenic diet against the UK’s standard healthy eating advice, known as the NHS EatWell Guide, for individuals experiencing bipolar depression. Professor Daniel Smith, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Edinburgh, explained that the study builds on a smaller feasibility study which found that participants following a ketogenic diet reported mood improvements. Professor Smith stated that while nutritional approaches could prove transformative, researchers do not view diet as a replacement for medication. About half of the study participants will receive brain scans to track how changes in brain chemistry connect to improved mood, while researchers also evaluate how easy the diets are to follow and potential NHS cost implications.
A Nine-Year Wait for Bipolar Diagnosis Leaves Patients Facing Systemic Delays
It typically takes individuals in the UK an average of 9.5 years following their initial search for symptom support to obtain a formal diagnosis of bipolar disorder, according to research figures. Wilson first sought help in 2020 after experiencing poor mental health during the pandemic, including phases of hypomania that required a hospital stay. She moved between services in England, Fife, and Tayside, receiving different treatments along the way before receiving her diagnosis last year after a five-year NHS wait. Maja Mitchell-Grigorjeva, chief executive of Bipolar Scotland, noted that this ten-year average wait has a very real human impact on relationships, careers, finances, and physical health.
Dietary Interventions and Patient-Led Research Priorities
Professor Steven Marwaha, ENERGISE-BD co-lead from the University of Birmingham, noted that people with lived experience of the condition often prioritise research into non-pharmacological treatments. The study aims to include around 200 participants from socio-economically and ethnically diverse backgrounds, supported by patient organisations including Bipolar Scotland and Bipolar UK. A Lived Experience Advisory Panel will ensure the research aligns with patient priorities. Participants can register their interest through the study website at www.medicine-vet-medicine.ed.ac.uk/energise-bd.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Bipolar Diet Study
Who is leading the ENERGISE-BD clinical trial?
The £7.9m study is led by researchers at the universities of Edinburgh and Birmingham, with clinical lead Professor Daniel Smith serving as Professor of Psychiatry at Edinburgh.
What diets are being compared in the research?
Researchers are comparing a ketogenic diet against the UK’s standard healthy eating advice, the NHS EatWell Guide, in participants experiencing depressive symptoms.
How can participants sign up for the trial?
Individuals interested in joining the study can register their interest online through the official study website hosted by the University of Edinburgh.
Which patient organisations support the study?
The Edinburgh Clinical Trials Unit, NHS Lothian, and the Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust join academic collaborators alongside patient groups Bipolar UK and Bipolar Scotland in backing the project.
What is the average diagnosis wait time cited in the research?
UK research estimates that it takes an average of 9.5 years from first seeking help for symptoms to receiving an official diagnosis of bipolar disorder.
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