Effectiveness of Dietary Therapy for Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy

In the December 21, 2012 Epilepsy and Behavior articles in press, Doctors Kossoff and colleagues from the Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions in Baltimore, Maryland present an interesting analysis looking at the effectiveness of the use of diet for treatment of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. The concept is that we know that ketogenic diet has been utilized for a number of conditions. Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) is often managed with seizure drugs; however, there are some patients that may have drug resistant seizures. The investigators sought out to see whether a modified Atkins diet can be useful for juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. Since 2006 eight adolescents and adults were started on a modified Atkins diet for juvenile myoclonic epilepsy at Johns Hopkins Hospital. 8 patients, (7 female/1 male), with an average age of 24.3 years- range of 15-44 years were evaluated. After one month, six (75%) of these patients had more than 50% seizure reduction and after three months five (63%), had a greater than 50% seizure improvement. Several patients found the modified Atkins diet difficult to adhere to, including three patients who temporarily reported increasing seizures during periods of noncompliance.

The investigators reported that the modified Atkins diet can be a useful therapy for young adults with difficult to control juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.

This interesting study is important because it suggests a potential avenue for the management of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. Obviously, more individuals need to be studied in to assess which patients with JME may benefit from this therapy.

by Joseph I. Sirven, MD
Editor-in-Chief, epilepsy.com
Last Reviewed: 2/19/2013