Ketone Supplementation Attenuates Prediction Error Taste Response in Eating Disorders: A Proof-of-Concept Study

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover proof-of-concept study enrolled 22 participants across the anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa spectrum (aged 19.0 to 52.1 years, body mass index 17.2 to 46.2). On separate days they consumed 10 g beta-hydroxybutyrate or placebo before a taste-based conditioning task with electroencephalography. Active beta-hydroxybutyrate increased blood ketone levels. Compared with placebo, it was associated with reduced late positive potential sensitivity to unsigned prediction error (p = 0.028), and poorer self-esteem was associated with a smaller ketone-related reduction (p = 0.002). The authors state that further research is needed to determine whether this translates into clinically meaningful changes in illness behavior.