Blog #91: Non-Drug Treatments for Epilepsy

            Many patients whose epilepsy responds poorly to antiseizure medications (20-30% of the three million American epilepsy population) may benefit from non-drug treatments. A study presented at the 71^st American Epilepsy Society Annual Meeting showed evidence that Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS), the ketogenic diet and a surgical procedure―corpus callosotomy—may reduce generalized and focal seizures. Among patients who failed three anticonvulsive medications between ages 8 months to 20 years, with a mean age of 10 years, underwent one of these treatments. Most of the patients’ parents were pleased with the results.¹ Sixty-three percent of patients who went on the ketogenic diet reported 50% or greater  reduction of their  generalized seizures. Fifty-four percent of patients who underwent corpus callosotomy and 52% of patients who received vagus nerve stimulation reported 50% or greater reduction in their generalized seizures.

            A very important benefit in withdrawing multiple anticonvulsive medications is that drug side effects are minimized: drowsiness, poor concentration, weight control problems, blood testing, teratogenic risks for women among other effects.

• Vagus Nerve Stimulation is sometimes referred to as a "pacemaker for the brain." A stimulator device is implanted under the skin in the chest. A wire from the device is wound around the vagus nerve in the neck. A person with a VNS device is usually not aware it's operating.

• The ketogenic diet is a special high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that helps to control seizures in some people with epilepsy. It is prescribed by a physician and carefully monitored by a dietitian. It is extremely strict, with calorie, fluid, and protein measurements. Ketones are formed when the body uses fat for its source of energy. The body usually uses carbohydrates (such as sugar, bread, pasta) for its fuel, but because the ketogenic diet is very low in carbohydrates, fats become the primary fuel instead. Higher ketone levels often lead to improved seizure control but the precise reason is not understood.

• Corpus callosotomy The corpus callosum is the most important connection between the two halves of the brain. Callosal surgical sectioning is quite effective in reducing seizure frequency in patients who have generalized epilepsy with drop attacks. It is generally reserved for this selected population. It is an epilepsy surgery procedure that is considered palliative only. It mediates communication between the two hemispheres of the brain. Seizures may spread rapidly from one hemisphere to the other by way of the corpus callosum; thus seizure spread is reduced and control is increased.  Serious complications are exceedingly rare.

            Dr. Dave Clarke, Clinical Director of Epilepsy at Texas Children’s Hospital at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston led a study with colleagues at the Dell Children’s Medical Center in Austin between January 2010 and November 2015. They compared seizure control, cognitive and behavioral factors, quality of life and parental satisfaction.

            Parents reported a 50%, or greater, reduction in generalized seizures in 63% of patients who went on the ketogenic diet, 54% of patients improved who underwent corpus callosotomy and 52% of patients improved who received VNS.

            “Many doctors keep trying medications without considering alternatives,” said Dr. Clarke. He suggests doctors introduce treatment alternatives after two anticonvulsive medications fail to control seizures.

1.      www.neurologyreviews.com: Jack Remaly in Neurology Reviews. January 2018, page 1, 45-46.

Lance Fogan, M.D. is Clinical Professor of Neurology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. “DINGS” is his first novel. It is a mother’s dramatic story that teaches epilepsy, now available in eBook, audiobook and soft cover editions.