Email a Friend
Printer Friendly
Slashdot It!
Submit to Reddit
Add to Facebook

Ketogenic diet prevents seizures by enhancing brain energy production, increasing neuron stability

November 14, 2005

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Although the high-fat, calorie-restricted ketogenic diet (KD) has long been used to prevent childhood epileptic seizures that are unresponsive to drugs, physicians have not really understood exactly why the diet works. New studies by a research team at Emory University School of Medicine show that the diet alters genes involved in energy metabolism in the brain, which in turn helps stabilize the function of neurons exposed to the challenges of epileptic seizures. This knowledge could help scientists identify specific molecular or genetic targets and lead to more effective drug treatments for epilepsy and brain damage.

The research will be presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience in Washington, D.C. by Kristopher Bough, PhD, a postdoctoral student in the laboratory of Emory pharmacology professor Raymond Dingledine, PhD.

"These findings support our hypothesis that a dietary regimen can dramatically affect the expression of genes and the function of neurons within the brain, which enhances the ability of these neurons to withstand the metabolic challenges of epileptic seizures," Dr. Dingledine said.

The ketogenic diet causes molecules called ketone bodies to be produced as fat is broken down. Scientists have understood that these molecules somehow cause a change in metabolism leading to a potent anticonvulsant effect. According to some animal studies they also may limit the progression of epilepsy.

The Emory research team studied the link between diet and epileptic seizures on the behavioral, cellular and genetic level. They found, as had others, that in rats fed the KD the resistance to seizures develops slowly, over one to two weeks, in contrast to rats treated with conventional anticonvulsant drugs. On the cellular level, they found that the anticonvulsant effect of the ketogenic diet did not correlate with a rise in plasma ketone levels or with a decrease in plasma glucose. Because longer treatment with the KD was necessary to increase the resistance to seizures, they concluded that changes in gene expression might hold the key to the diet's anticonvulsant effects.

To identify which genes might be involved, the researchers used microarray "gene chips" to examine changes in gene expression for more than 7,000 rat genes simultaneously. They focused on the hippocampus, a region of the brain known to play an important role in many kinds of epilepsies. More than 500 of the genes they examined were correlated with treatment with the KD. The most striking finding was the coordinated up-regulation of genes involved in energy metabolism.

To explain this genetic effect, the scientists first eliminated the possibility that the KD diet might cause enhanced production of GABA, a chemical messenger in the brain that helps limit seizure activity. They found that GABA levels in the hippocampus were unchanged with the KD.

To test whether energy reserves in hippocampal neurons were enhanced with the KD, they counted the number of energy "factories," or mitochondria, within cells using electron microscopy. They found that KD treatment significantly increased the number of mitochondria per unit area in the hippocampus. This finding, along with the concerted increase in the expression of genes encoding energy metabolic enzymes, led them to conclude that KD treatment enhances energy production in the hippocampus and may lead to improved neuronal stability.

Finally, the researchers tested whether brain tissue affected by the KD would be more resistant to low levels of glucose (an effect of seizures) because of their enhanced energy reserves. They found that synaptic communication in KD-fed rats was more resistant to low glucose levels than in control animals fed a regular diet.

The researchers believe their new knowledge could lead to the development of more effective drug treatments for epilepsy and brain damage.

And because the diet enhances the brain's ability to withstand metabolic challenges, they also believe the ketogenic diet should be studied as a possible treatment for other neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's diseases.

Emory University Health Sciences Center

Related Seizures Current Events and Seizures News Articles

Seizures Current Events and Seizures News RSS

Valproic acid shown to halt vision loss in patients with retinitis pigmentosa
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) believe they may have found a new treatment for retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a severe neurodegenerative disease of the retina that ultimately results in blindness.

Feeling insecure in relationships may predispose people to later health problems, says research
People who feel insecure about their attachments to others might be at higher risk for cardiovascular problems than those who feel secure in their relationships, according to a new study published by the American Psychological Association.

Research project analyses cerebral bioelectricity in order to detect epilepsy
A group of researchers from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) has presented a new algorithm that uses a new method to analyse the information obtained from electroencephalograms to detect neurodegenerative diseases, such as epilepsy, using the bioelectric signals of the brain.

Does the existing standard of care supply energy sources to brain tumor cells?
The medical standard of care - comprised of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy - for the most common form of brain cancer triggers a number of biological responses that may actually feed the energy metabolism that supports the disease, according to Boston College researchers writing in the journal Lancet Oncology.

Combination MMRV vaccine linked with 2-fold risk of seizures
The combination vaccine for measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox (MMRV) is associated with double the risk of febrile seizures for 1- to 2-year-old children compared with same-day administration of the separate vaccine for MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) and the varicella (V) vaccine for chicken pox, according to a Kaiser Permanente Division of Research study appearing online in the journal Pediatrics.

Defective signaling pathway leads to vascular malformations in the brain
Benign vascular malformations known as cavernomas can occur in many tissues of the body. These abnormalities are characterized by enlarged, instable and unstructured blood vessels.

Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Gabapentin opens window of communication
For patients with quadriplegia, mutism and lower cranial nerve paralysis (locked-in syndrome), their only means of interacting with others is through vertical gaze and upper eyelid movements, using eye-coded communication strategies.

Little is understood about alcohol's effect on fetal development, Georgetown researchers say
It's long been known that alcohol use in pregnancy can lead to children with mental retardation and birth defects, but researchers who study fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) have not made definitive progress on preventing the disorder, detecting it early, or effectively treating it, say researchers from Georgetown University Medical Center.

Brain MRI in children: 'Incidental' findings yield disclosure dilemmas for doctors, patients
Pediatricians whose patients undergo "routine" brain MRIs need a plan to deal with findings that commonly reveal unexpected-but-benign anomalies that are unlikely to cause any problem, reports a research team led by Johns Hopkins Children's Center investigators.

NCBS, NYU neuroscientists identify synaptic defect in brain area involved in Fragile X syndrome
Researchers at India's National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) and New York University's Center for Neural Science have identified novel synaptic defects in an area of the brain that is involved in the debilitating emotional symptoms of Fragile X Syndrome (FXS). FXS is the leading known genetic cause of autism and mental retardation.

More Seizures Current Events and Seizures News Articles

	Living Well with Epilepsy and Other Seizure Disorders: An Expert Explains What You Really Need to Know by Carl W. Bazil (Author) Treatment options, lifestyle strategies,and emotional support for two million Americans. Epilepsy, once mistakenly associated with demonic possession, has for centuries been a poorly understood illness. Today, though it affects nearly one out of every one hundred Americans, little comprehensive information can be found on bookshelves regarding this common and complex neurological disease. Until now! Using his expertise in pharmacology and neuroscience, Dr. Carl Bazil demystifies epilepsy and other seizure disorders and offers medical, practical, and emotional support to patients and their families. He explains how and why seizures occur, and thoroughly discusses treatment options, the pros and cons of surgery, experimental and alternative treatments, strategies for daily living, and...
	Taking Seizure Disorders to School: A Story About Epilepsy by Kim Gosselin (Author), Moss Friedman (Illustrator) This story dispels the myths and fears surrounding epilepsy in a positive, upbeat and entertaining style while explaining seizures in an understandable fashion.
	Medpage MP5 Bed Movement Alarm System - SIMPLE to use Monitor Detects Epilepsy Seizures and Transmit Alarm Signal to a Pager. by Medpage The Medpage MP5 has been in use since 1996. During this time the MP5 has helped thousands of caregivers and families detect nocturnal convulsive seizures resulting from excessive movement from a person in bed. The principle of operation is simple and reliable. Detected seizures are notified via a radio signal to a pager with a range of up to 100 Metres. The MP5 is used by hospitals, care homes and families worldwide for the detection of convulsive seizures and when used in accordance with the instructions for use will provide a fast response to on-going seizures of the Tonic-Clonic (Grand Mal) type. The positions of the dials shown in the photograph represent an average setting for the detection of most convulsive seizures. Sensitivity of the bed sensor(s) can be...
	Partial Seizure Disorders: Help for Patients and Families by Mitzi Waltz (Author) Partial seizures may not look as dramatic as the better known grand mal epilepsy, but they are more common and can have serious consequences. If untreated, partial seizures can become more severe, leading to permanent brain damage in some cases. The physical and emotional effects of partial seizures--such as dissociation, loss of coordination, memory loss, fatigue, and pain--can also be very difficult to live with. The good news is that partial seizures are treatable. With intervention, patients can wrest back control of their lives. Partial Seizure Disorders helps patients and families get an accurate diagnosis, gain an understanding of medications and their side effects, and learn coping skills and other adjuncts to medication. The author walks readers through developmental issues and...
	Seizure [VHS] Starring: Jonathan Frid, Martine Beswick, Joseph Sirola, Christina Pickles, Hervé Villechaize Directed By: Oliver Stone
	ProofPronto SIM Seizure by Paraben by ProofPronto Paraben's SIM Seizure contains everything you need to recover deleted text messages, calls and more. Includes top-notch tech support from Paraben Forensics and works with Windows XP, 2000 and Vista32. SIM Card Seizure is a forensic SIM card reader and analysis tool that has been used by forensic investigators throughout the world. This easy-to-use tool allows you to download the contents of the SIM card, including deleted text (also called SMS) messages. Employers can check up on employees to ensure productivity and loyalty, Parents can keep an eye on their kid's activities and general safety and security. Cheating spouses often have a lot to hide on their cell phones. Features: * Get Text Messages from SIM Cards (Including Deleted Messages) * Get the Last Number Dialed * True...
	Seizure by Berkley The New York Times bestseller is now in paperback. Power, religion, and bioscience collide in the new novel from the master of the medical thriller.
	Seizures and Epilepsy in Childhood: A Guide (Johns Hopkins Press Health Book) by John M. Freeman MD (Author), Eileen P. G. Vining MD (Author), Diana J. Pillas (Author) The award-winning Seizures and Epilepsy in Childhood is the standard resource for parents in need of comprehensive medical information about their child with epilepsy. Now in its third edition, this highly praised book has been thoroughly revised and updated to reflect the latest approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy in childhood, including the use of the ketogenic diet as a treatment for children who either do not respond to traditional drug therapy or who suffer intolerable side effects from medications. In addition to providing up-to-date information about new diagnostic techniques as well as new drugs, diet, and surgical treatments, the authors have included a chapter addressing routine health care for children with epilepsy and a new chapter on...
	Seizure Starring: Marcus Chong, Allison Bartlett, Jenny Bacon, Adriana Sevan, John Fiske Directed By: Michael Fields Also With: Dick Wolf (Producer), Rene Balcer (Producer), Rene Balcer (Writer), Fred Berner (Producer), Geoffrey Neigher (Producer), Peter Jankowski (Producer), Arthur Forney (Producer), Hall Powell (Writer)
	Rewritten by Seizure Rewritten by Seizure This product is manufactured on demand using CD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.