Plain-English translation of NCT04899102 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated · Translation generated · How we translate trials
This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.
This is a small pilot study testing whether time-restricted intermittent fasting—eating only during certain hours of the day—can help reduce the amount of fat stored in the liver. The study focuses on people who have fatty liver disease but are not overweight, which is an increasingly common condition that current treatments don't work well for. Researchers believe this eating pattern may help the liver use fat differently and reduce disease progression.
Right now, there are no approved medications for fatty liver disease, and regular diets are often hard to stick with and don't work well enough. Many people with this condition are not overweight, so they need different treatment approaches. This study aims to find out if this eating pattern could be a helpful, lifestyle-based option for this specific group of patients.
You likely qualify if…
You likely don't qualify if…
You would follow a time-restricted eating schedule for 6 weeks, eating all your meals within a specific window of hours each day while fasting during the rest of the day. You would have screening visits before starting to confirm you qualify, and researchers would use special imaging scans (like MRI) to measure how much fat is in your liver before and after the study to see if the eating pattern helps. The study enrolls about 25 people total and is run by Massachusetts General Hospital.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 9, 2026 · Not medical advice
United States
Sponsor
Massachusetts General Hospital
Enrollment target
~25 participants
Started
February 2022
Primary completion
July 2026
This trial's estimated completion date has passed — the record may not be fully up to date.
Age range
18 Years and older
Last updated on clinicaltrials.gov in December 2025.
Reach out to the team running this trial. Response times vary — some teams are faster than others.
Central contact
Kathleen E Corey, MD/MPH
Massachusetts General Hospital
Tell us you're interested and we'll help connect you with the research team. We'll walk you through what to expect first — no email needed to get started.