Nutritional supplements, foods, and epilepsy: Is there a relationship?

Abstract

Summary Anecdotal reports suggest that certain foods and dietary contents might influence the occurrence of seizures. However, the existing data are scanty and sometimes controversial. Some studies have found that the supplementation with individual nutrients reduced seizure frequency or improved other aspects of health in patients with epilepsy, while other studies have failed to confirm those findings. Nutrient supplementation may be necessary to prevent or reverse the effects of certain deficiencies that frequently result from the use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). However, the potential benefits of nutrient supplementation in patients with epilepsy must be weighed against reports that large doses of certain nutrients can interfere with the action of some AEDs. This paper reviews dietary and nutritional considerations in patients with epilepsy and also the relationship between foods, dietary elements, and seizures.

Lennox–Gastaut syndrome in south Iran: Electro-clinical manifestations

“…Alternatively, the disorder may be diagnosed by giving 15 mg/kg/ day of oral B6 to an infant who experiences frequent seizures. Complete control of the seizures within a week or so is confirmatory in these situations (9, 12). Once the diagnosis is confirmed, maintenance therapy (25 to 200 mg/day) should be indefinitely continued.…”

“…Parenteral B6 injection confirms the diagnosis. Clinical seizures stop within a few minutes and epileptic EEG discharges subside within a few hours after the intravenous injection of 50 to 200 mg of B6 (9-11). Acute hypotonia and apnea has been reported after intravenous B6 administration to infants after long-time seizures.…”

“…Acute hypotonia and apnea has been reported after intravenous B6 administration to infants after long-time seizures. Resuscitation equipments should therefore be available during an intravenous trial (9). Alternatively, the disorder may be diagnosed by giving 15 mg/kg/ day of oral B6 to an infant who experiences frequent seizures.…”

“…Once the diagnosis is confirmed, maintenance therapy (25 to 200 mg/day) should be indefinitely continued. Doses should be increased with advancing age or when intercurrent illnesses occur (9). Women with a child with vitamin B6-dependent seizures are recommended to receive this vitamin during subsequent pregnancies (9).…”

Methylxanthines, Seizures, and Excitotoxicity

“…However, due to the lack of well-designed, randomized, and placebo-controlled clinical trials, this concept has been challenged (Asadi-Pooya et al 2008). Clinical findings in support of a proconvulsive role of methylxanthines are largely based on theophylline (or aminophylline, a mixture of theophylline with ethylenediamine that is 20 times more soluble than theophylline alone) which, clinically, is widely used to manage bronchospasms in reversible airway obstruction associated with stable asthma and chronic bronchitis (Barnes 2005; Van Dellen 1979).…”