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