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Carroll JH, Parkin T, Cross JH, Hickson M, Williams E, Aldridge V, Collinson A. Drug-resistant epilepsy and ketogenic diet therapy - a qualitative study of families' experiences. Seizure 2024; 118:137-147. [PMID: 38703599 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2024.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A diagnosis of drug-resistant epilepsy is life changing for a family. Ketogenic diet therapy (KDT) can offer hope when other treatments have failed. However, it often requires a significant change in daily routine and dietary habits. This qualitative descriptive study aimed to explore families' experiences of epilepsy and KDT. METHODS Parents of a child aged ≤18 years with epilepsy, currently or recently treated with KDT, were recruited from the UK and internationally via UK Ketogenic Diet (KD) centres, charities, and social media. Semi-structured interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, anonymised, coded using Nvivo (V12), and inductive thematic analysis undertaken. RESULTS Twenty-one parents participated. Four themes and 12 subthemes emerged: 1. 'Epilepsy is all consuming' explored the impact of epilepsy on the family. 2. 'KD provides a window to new opportunities' explores the motivators for KDT and positive outcomes. 3. 'The reality of KD' explores day to day life and how families adapt to KD. 4. 'Looking to the future' explores the factors that may make KD easier for families. All were glad their child trialled KD, even when less successful. The importance of a support network including family, friends, charity organisations and the KD team was evident across all themes. CONCLUSIONS We conclude with five recommendations to help support families in their management of KDT; Improved access to KDT and transition to adult services, access to quality education and support, enhanced variety of KD foods, regular social education and finally consideration of peer mentoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer H Carroll
- School of Health Professions, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Devon, United Kingdom.
| | - Tracey Parkin
- School of Health Professions, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Devon, United Kingdom
| | - J Helen Cross
- Developmental Neurosciences, UCL - NIHR BRC Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mary Hickson
- School of Health Professions, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Devon, United Kingdom
| | - Emma Williams
- Matthew's Friends, Lingfield, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Val Aldridge
- Matthew's Friends, Lingfield, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Avril Collinson
- School of Health Professions, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Devon, United Kingdom
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Gogou M, Pujar S, Nemani T, Chiang C, Simpson Z, Hardy I, Schoeler N, Cross JH, Eltze C. Antiseizure medication reduction and withdrawal in children with drug-resistant epilepsy after starting the ketogenic diet. Dev Med Child Neurol 2023; 65:424-430. [PMID: 35971594 DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.15377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Revised: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
AIM To investigate the rate of successful withdrawal of antiseizure medication (ASM) after starting the ketogenic diet in children and identify predictive factors. METHOD We retrospectively reviewed data of children with epilepsy, who were treated with the ketogenic diet for 6 months or longer at our institution, over a 5-year period. We defined successful withdrawal of one or more medications as a time period of 3 months or more off this medication without restarting it or starting a new agent. Predictive clinical factors were investigated using binary multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS Seventy-one children were included (28 females, 43 males; median age at seizure onset 5 months, median age at diet initiation 58.5 months, median duration of ketogenic diet 27.7 months). Reduction of one or more ASMs was attempted in 54 out of 71 (76%) children and was successful in 34 out of 54 (63%), including discontinuation of all ASMs in 13. Younger age at the start of the ketogenic diet was associated with higher odds of successful ASM withdrawal. ASM withdrawal was successful in 11 out of 19 children with less than 50% seizure reduction at 3 months. INTERPRETATION Reduction of ASM was achieved in two-thirds of patients after the start of the ketogenic diet, where attempted, and can be successful even with little or unchanged seizure frequency while on the diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Gogou
- Neurology Department, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London, UK.,Neurology Department, Evelina London Children's Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Suresh Pujar
- Neurology Department, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London, UK.,Developmental Neurosciences, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Tarishi Nemani
- Neurology Department, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Chunyi Chiang
- Developmental Neurosciences, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Zoe Simpson
- Neurology Department, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Isobel Hardy
- Neurology Department, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Natasha Schoeler
- Developmental Neurosciences, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - J Helen Cross
- Neurology Department, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London, UK.,Developmental Neurosciences, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Christin Eltze
- Neurology Department, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London, UK.,Developmental Neurosciences, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
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Operto FF, Pastorino GMG, Viggiano A, Dell’Isola GB, Dini G, Verrotti A, Coppola G. Epilepsy and Cognitive Impairment in Childhood and Adolescence: A Mini-Review. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:1646-1665. [PMID: 35794776 PMCID: PMC10514538 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x20666220706102708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Managing epilepsy in people with an intellectual disability remains a therapeutic challenge and must take into account additional issues such as diagnostic difficulties and frequent drug resistance. Advances in genomic technologies improved our understanding of epilepsy and raised the possibility to develop patients-tailored treatments acting on the key molecular mechanisms involved in the development of the disease. In addition to conventional antiseizure medications (ASMs), ketogenic diet, hormone therapy and epilepsy surgery play an important role, especially in cases of drugresistance. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the mainfactors influencing cognition in children and adolescents with epilepsy and the main therapeutic options available for the epilepsies associated with intellectual disability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Felicia Operto
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Grazia Maria Giovanna Pastorino
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Andrea Viggiano
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | | | - Gianluca Dini
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Perugia, Giorgio Menghini Square, 06129 Perugia, Italy
| | - Alberto Verrotti
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Perugia, Giorgio Menghini Square, 06129 Perugia, Italy
| | - Giangennaro Coppola
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, SA, Italy
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Dietary Treatments for Epilepsy. Neurol Clin 2022; 40:785-797. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ncl.2022.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Gogou M, Cross JH. Seizures and Epilepsy in Childhood. Continuum (Minneap Minn) 2022; 28:428-456. [PMID: 35393965 DOI: 10.1212/con.0000000000001087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This article highlights basic concepts of seizures and epilepsy in pediatric patients, as well as basic treatment principles for this age group. RECENT FINDINGS Epilepsy is the most common neurologic disorder in childhood. Accurate diagnosis is key; in older children, epileptic seizures need to be differentiated from various paroxysmal nonepileptic events, whereas in neonates, the majority of seizures are subclinical (electroencephalographic). Antiseizure medications remain the first-line treatment, but ketogenic diet and epilepsy surgery have also shown positive outcomes and can decrease drug burden. Genetic causes account for approximately 30% of cases, and the recognition of electroclinical syndromes is being replaced by the concept of genetic spectrums. Precision medicine therapies are promising, but wide application in daily practice still has a long way to go. Early access to specialist centers and optimal treatments positively affects prognosis and future neurodevelopment. SUMMARY Although novel findings from all fields of research are being incorporated into everyday clinical practice, a better quality of life for children with seizures and epilepsy and their families is the ultimate priority.
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Abstract
It is well known that the neuromodulator adenosine, acting through the adenosine A1 receptor subtype, can limit or stop seizures. In 2008, adenosine was proposed as a key component of the anticonvulsant mechanism of the ketogenic diet (KD), a very low carbohydrate diet that can be highly effective in drug-refractory epilepsy. In this study, we review the accumulated data on the intersection among adenosine, ketosis, and anticonvulsant/antiepileptogenic effects. In several rodent models of epilepsy and seizures, antiseizure effects of ketogenic treatments (the KD itself, exogenous ketone bodies, medium-chain triglycerides or fatty acids) are reversed by administration of an adenosine A1 receptor antagonist. In addition, KD treatment elevates extracellular adenosine and tissue adenosine content in brain. Efforts to maintain or mimic a ketogenic milieu in brain slices reveal a state of reduced excitability produced by pre- and postsynaptic adenosine A1 receptor-based effects. Long-lasting seizure reduction may be due to adenosine-based epigenetic effects. In conclusion, there is accumulating evidence for an adenosinergic anticonvulsant action in the ketogenic state. In some cases, the main trigger is mildly but consistently lowered glucose in the brain. More research is needed to investigate the importance of adenosine in the antiepileptogenic and neuroprotective effects of these treatments. Future research may begin to investigate alternative adenosine-promoting strategies to enhance the KD or to find use as treatments themselves.
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Affiliation(s)
- David N Ruskin
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience Program, Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut, USA
| | - Masahito Kawamura
- Department of Pharmacology, Jikei University School of Medicine, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Susan A Masino
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience Program, Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut, USA
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Abstract
As the ketogenic diet approaches 100 years of continuous use, we reflect
on its successes and consider new avenues of research for the next
century. One controversial question is regarding whether ketogenic
dietary therapies could be successful first-line treatments for
epilepsy. Second, is it possible to mimic the mechanisms of action of
ketogenic dietary therapy with a drug (eg, a tablet formulation)? A
third controversy worthy of future study involves its expanded usage
in adults with refractory epilepsy and its role in treating women of
childbearing age. Finally, as flexible, alternative diets have
recently become widely available, is it feasible and safe to have
families and patients start ketogenic dietary therapy successfully on
their own with limited medical supervision?
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Kossoff
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Ketogenic Diet: A New Light Shining on Old but Gold Biochemistry. Nutrients 2019; 11:nu11102497. [PMID: 31627352 PMCID: PMC6836190 DOI: 10.3390/nu11102497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Diets low in carbohydrates and proteins and enriched in fat stimulate the hepatic synthesis of ketone bodies (KB). These molecules are used as alternative fuel for energy production in target tissues. The synthesis and utilization of KB are tightly regulated both at transcriptional and hormonal levels. The nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator activated receptor α (PPARα), currently recognized as one of the master regulators of ketogenesis, integrates nutritional signals to the activation of transcriptional networks regulating fatty acid β-oxidation and ketogenesis. New factors, such as circadian rhythms and paracrine signals, are emerging as important aspects of this metabolic regulation. However, KB are currently considered not only as energy substrates but also as signaling molecules. β-hydroxybutyrate has been identified as class I histone deacetylase inhibitor, thus establishing a connection between products of hepatic lipid metabolism and epigenetics. Ketogenic diets (KD) are currently used to treat different forms of infantile epilepsy, also caused by genetic defects such as Glut1 and Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Deficiency Syndromes. However, several researchers are now focusing on the possibility to use KD in other diseases, such as cancer, neurological and metabolic disorders. Nonetheless, clear-cut evidence of the efficacy of KD in other disorders remains to be provided in order to suggest the adoption of such diets to metabolic-related pathologies.
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