Seizures
Conditions
Keywords
Ketogenic Therapy, Ketogenic Diet
Brief summary
Approximately a fourth of children with seizures do not respond adequately to available therapy. Ketogenic therapy has a long history as treatment for intractable epilepsy, but there is no agreement concerning how it works and what is the best way to administer it. This natural history study will collect data pertaining to both questions.
Detailed description
The basis of Ketogenic Therapy is an altered macronutrient intake. It is based on a ratio of fat: protein+carbohydrate in which protein intake is adequate and carbohydrate is minimal. On Ketogenic Therapy, the body metabolizes fat, producing ketones as an energy source for the brain. Induction of ketosis has been shown to correlate with the reduction of seizures observed with Ketogenic Therapy. A major challenge of Ketogenic Therapy in children is that the compounds provided to stop seizure activity are the same compounds provided for growth and development. The altered macronutrient ratio that is the basis of Ketogenic Therapy is also a potential risk factor for dyslipidemia and may adversely affect growth. The investigators will evaluate efficacy of Ketogenic Therapy by assessing seizures and requirements for antiepileptic drugs. The investigators will evaluate adverse effects of Ketogenic Therapy by assessing dyslipidemia and growth. The investigators will foster optimal daily administration of therapy with structured training programs for caregivers.
Interventions
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTKetogenic Therapy
Ketogenic Therapy is based on a ratio of fat: protein+carbohydrate in which protein intake is adequate, fat intake is high, and carbohydrate intake is minimal.
Sponsors
University of Florida
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
No minimum to 50 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Patients whose physician has prescribed the ketogenic diet * Patients with lab tests consistent with the ability to metabolize a high fat and low carbohydrate diet * Patients that can be compliant with administration of the therapy and with record keeping.
Exclusion criteria
* Patients with lab tests consistent with the inability to metabolize a high fat and low carbohydrate diet * Patients at risk of being non-compliant with administration of the therapy and with record keeping
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Reduced seizures | 2 years | Seizures will be charted from collected data. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Reduced requirement for medications | 2 years | Medication will be charted from collected data. |
Countries
United States
Contacts
CONTACTPeggy R. Borum, Ph.D.
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORPeggy R. Borum, Ph.D.
University of Florida
Outcome results
None listed