Nutritional Impacts of Palynziq on Patients With Phenylketonuria (PKU)

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an inherited metabolic disorder that impairs the metabolism of the essential amino acid phenylalanine (Phe). Without stringent dietary control, Phe accumulates in the blood and brain of PKU patients, leading to severe cognitive deficits. Achieving metabolic control, defined as blood Phe levels within the range of 120-360 μmol/L, has been a significant challenge for PKU patients using traditional diet therapy. The new FDA approved pharmacologic treatment, Palynziq, offers a new approach that could significantly reduce the burden of PKU by improving blood Phe levels and allowing for a less restrictive diet. As little is known about the global metabolic and physiologic effects of Palynziq, the present study aims to capture changes in diet quality, neurological health, nutritional status, the nutritional metabolome, and patient perceptions of mental and social health with sustained Palynziq therapy.