Is there a role for diet monotherapy in adult epilepsy?

Publication date: Available online 20 September 2016 Source:Epilepsy & Behavior Case Reports Author(s): Mackenzie C. Cervenka, Bobbie J. Henry-Barron, Eric H. Kossoff Ten adults were treated with ketogenic diet monotherapy for epilepsy. Four patients were naïve to antiseizure drugs(ASD) and six previously tried and stopped ASDs. Of four treatment-naïve participants, two(50%) were free from disabling seizures on Modified Atkins Diet(MAD) monotherapy for > one year. Two(50%) stopped. Four of six patients(67%) who had previously tried ASDs became seizure-free on diet monotherapy and two experienced >50% seizure reduction. Side effects included amenorrhea, weight loss, osteoporosis, and hyperlipidemia. Diet monotherapy may be feasible, well-tolerated, and effective for adults with epilepsy who refuse pharmacotherapy and those for whom lifelong diet therapy is recommended.
Source: Epilepsy and Behavior Case Reports - Category: Neurology Source Type: research