A recent study has found that the Ketogenic diet can help ease Dravet seizures and improve cognitive deficits in patients suffering from the disorder. The study, which was published in the journal Scientific Reports, provides new evidence about the potential benefits of a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet on neurological disorders. Dravet syndrome, also known as severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy, is a rare genetic disorder that causes seizures, developmental delays, and cognitive deficits. Keep reading to learn more about how the ketogenic diet could potentially improve the lives of those suffering from this condition.
A multi-center study in China has shown that adopting a ketogenic diet can reduce the frequency of seizures and improve cognitive function and behavior in children and adolescents with Dravet syndrome. Dravet syndrome is a severe form of epilepsy that is marked by prolonged seizures in the first year of life. The frequent occurrence of this condition can lead to cognitive and physical problems, including with movement and balance, language delays, and symptoms resembling autism.
Since Dravet-associated seizures are typically resistant to standard anti-seizure medications, alternative approaches such as the ketogenic diet have been considered. The ketogenic diet is a type of low-carb/high-fat diet with limited protein intake. It promotes a change in the body’s preferable source of energy from standard glucose, or sugar, to fatty bodies called ketones. The diet promotes its beneficial effects via several mechanisms such as the production of ketone bodies, caloric restriction, positive changes in the gut’s microorganisms, and the production of anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective factors.
The study analyzed data from 114 Dravet patients who adopted a keto diet to learn more about its real-life feasibility and benefits. The patients were followed at 14 epilepsy centers from 2014-2020, had a median age of 3, and most were between the ages of 1 and 6. Most (97.2%) transitioned to a ketogenic diet within one to three days and continued it for up to a little more than 4.5 years (median, 10.5 months).
The results showed the diet was effective at reducing seizures by at least 50% in 57.9% of the children after one month, 76.3% after three months, 59.6% after six months, and 43% after a year. Nearly a third of the patients had no symptoms at three and six months — proportions “higher than previous international results,” the researchers wrote. This proportion dropped to 19.3% at a year, however. The diet’s effectiveness rate was not affected by the patients’ age.
Cognitive and behavioral improvements were reported by caregivers in about one-third of the children at three and six months. This proportion dropped to 26.3% at one year. In five patients, cognitive gains were achieved despite a seizure reduction lower than 50% at three months.
The diet was generally safe and well tolerated. The most commonly reported side effects were gastrointestinal problems, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation, and diarrhea. These gradually reduced over time from about 18% at one month to 0% at a year. Fever was also a common but persistent side effect reported in 2.8-3.8% of patients.
The findings showcased the diet’s safety and its ability to reduce seizure frequency by at least 50% in a significant proportion of children and adolescents with Dravet syndrome. The researchers recommend that KD therapy should be strongly considered for DS as early as possible, and in addition to one or two anti-seizure medications. Appropriately-controlled studies that follow patients over time are needed to provide more evidence for the KD intervention time for DS, such as the choice of the KD after the failure of several anti-seizure medications.
Overall, the results of this study are incredibly promising for those suffering from Dravet Syndrome and cognitive deficits. By embracing a Ketogenic diet, individuals may be able to reduce seizure activity and improve cognitive function. However, as with any medical treatment, it is crucial to speak with a healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet or medication regimen. As research into the Ketogenic diet and its effects on neurological disorders continues to expand, we can hope for even more advancements in the future.
