Ketogenic Diet for New-Onset Absence Epilepsy

Launched by JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · Feb 14, 2020

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

**Summary of the Clinical Trial: Ketogenic Diet for New-Onset Absence Epilepsy**

This clinical trial is studying whether a modified Atkins diet, which is low in carbohydrates and high in fats, can be an effective treatment for children who have recently been diagnosed with absence epilepsy. Absence epilepsy causes short, frequent episodes where a child may appear to be "zoning out." Normally, this condition is treated with medications, but the researchers want to see if changing the child's diet could be a helpful alternative, especially for those who might not respond well to medicine. The trial is comparing children who follow this diet with those who have chosen to start on traditional epilepsy medications.

To be eligible for this study, children ages 3 to 12 years must have been diagnosed with classic absence epilepsy, show normal or mild intellectual disabilities, and have specific brain wave patterns on an EEG test. They should be experiencing daily absence seizures, but they cannot have previously been treated with epilepsy medications or other special diets for seizures. If enrolled, participants will follow the modified Atkins diet for three months, and their progress will be monitored closely. This study aims to find out if this diet can safely help children manage their seizures, providing families with more options for treatment.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Children ages 3-12 years at seizure onset with classic childhood absence epilepsy clinically.
• • Normal intellect or mild disability
• • EEG with confirmed 3/second spike-wave discharges, usually with hyperventilation
• • Daily reported absence seizures.
• • Generalized convulsions allowed
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Previous treatment with any anticonvulsant drug
• • Previous use of a ketogenic dietary therapy for epilepsy or any other condition
• • Glut1 deficiency syndrome
• • Metabolic disorder known that would preclude dietary therapy
• • Dietary restrictions for which a high fat, low carbohydrate diet would be precluded.
• • Prior history of epilepsy (febrile seizures allowed)
• • Unwilling to consent to study procedures or return for visits