Epilepsy - Modified Atkins Diet Research
Diet Therapy Studies Seek Participants With Intractable Epilepsy
Mar 15, 2009
A customized version of the Atkins high fat, low carbohydrate diet is looking promising as a dietary treatment for seizure disorders. The current clinical trials follow earlier studies which showed the Modified Atkins Diet, called "MAD," can be an effective therapy for people with drug resistant epilepsy.
Dr. Eric Kossoff, Medical Director of the Ketogenic Diet Program at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore MD, developed the MAD and began research studies using the diet in 2002.
Recognizing the Value of the Modified Atkins Diet
Dr. Kossoff is a lead investigator of these studies at Johns Hopkins. In a review for the American Academy of Neurology, he describes what prompted him to invent the Modified Atkins diet.
In one case, he writes of a mother advised to start her child on the Atkins diet in preparation for the more rigorous ketogenic diet. The child's seizures stopped three days after beginning the diet and she did not need to use the ketogenic diet to control her seizures.
In another case, a 10 year old child stopped the ketogenic diet and his seizures returned. When his parents gave him a diet similar to Atkins he improved quickly.
Dr. Kossoff writes, "These two children in combination with four additional patients (including three adults) started de novo on the Atkins diet were reported in 'Neurology 2003', sparking substantial interest in this diet."
Dr. Kossoff combined elements of the ketogenic and Atkins diet to develop the modified diet now used in research and treatment for epilepsy.
Advantages of Atkins Diet
The Atkins diet is not as limited as the ketogenic diet. There are no restrictions on the amount of fluids and calories in the Modified Atkins diet. It is high in fats, but permits more protein and carbohydrates. The diet can be started at home rather than in the hospital.
First Studies Show Diet can be Effective Epilepsy Therapy
After the first success, Dr. Kossoff and colleagues organized a second study, supported by the Robert Atkins Foundation, which also had positive results. Two thirds of these patients improved on the diet, averaging a fifty percent drop in seizure frequency.
Since 2002, several epilepsy studies using the Modified Atkins Diet, including one in South Korea, another in Belgium, gave positive results for both children and adults whose seizures were not controlled with drugs.
Ongoing Studies Seeking Participants
Dr. Kossoff and colleagues at Johns Hopkins have three open trials investigating different aspects of the Modified Atkins Diet as a seizure treatment. The trials, briefly described below, will include children and adults whose seizures are not controlled by anticonvulsants.
- Internet Administration of the Modified Atkins Diet for Adults With Intractable Epilepsy
The purpose of this trial is to study the effectiveness of the diet for adults with drug resistant seizures. It doesn't require going to Johns Hopkins or even being in the United States. The study will be conducted using email, internet, phone and fax and with the cooperation of the participants' primary care doctors or neurologists.
- Dietary Supplement: Modified Atkins Diet and KetoCal
The trial is investigating the use of KetoCal@ during the first month on the Modified Atkins Diet. This trial is for both children and adults with intractable epilepsy.
- The Atkins Diet for Children With Sturge Weber Syndrome
Researchers are exploring whether the Modified Atkins diet will reduce seizures in children who have seizures and Sturge Weber Syndrome.
For the more than 30% of people whose seizures are not controlled by anticonvulsants, the clinical trials offer a non-drug option to explore for reducing seizures.
Details of the three clinical trials with information on how to apply for them is available at the National Library of Medicine
Source:
Kossoff, Eric, MD, Haut, S. R. (ed); A New Choice on the Menu: Five Years of the Modified Atkins Diet for Epilepsy; American Academy of Neurology, Science Editorials and Reviews; Dec 3, 2007
Resources:
Information and Support for the Modified Atkins Diet for Epilepsy:
Atkins Diet for Seizure Control
Epilepsy - Modified Atkins Diet Reduces Seizures
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