Fantastic research, entitled “High-fat diets and seizure control in myoclonic-astatic epilepsy: A single center’s experience” assessed 9 children, of varying diagnoses, experiencing a multitude of seizure types, including myoclonic-astatic, general tonic clonic and absence seizures. 7 of the 9 chlildren experienced complete cessation of seizures when placed on the modified atkins or the ketogenic diet.

Here are a few other takeaways from this research:

  1. The average age of onset of seizures was age 2.
  2. Most of these children were placed on multiple (more than 2) anti-epileptic drugs.
  3. The AED’s were not effective at stopping seizures.
  4. All children experienced multiple seizures from 5 to 55 per day.
  5. Seven of the 9 children’s seizures ended after addition of the ketogenic or the modified atkins diet (MAD).
  6. One child was identified as having the SLC21A genetic variance.  Seizures ended while on the diet.
  7. At 12-15 months of seizure freedom the patients were weaned off of their medications.  No breakthrough seizures occurred.
  8. 7 of the 10 patients achieved seizure freedom while remaining on the diet without AED’s.
  9. Patients 1-4 have achieved up to 3 years of seizure freedom has occurred with children that have been weaned off of the AED’s and the ketogenic/MAD diet.

It’s important to note the SLC21A mutation which is often identified as a cause for seizures, was ‘turned off’ by the implementation of the modified-atkins diet.   The child’s seizures ended.  Would this suggest that perhaps this mutation is only one variable that contributes to seizures.

Bringing much light,

Lynn

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