Neurobiochemical mechanisms of a ketogenic diet in refractory epilepsy

Author(s)

de Lima, Patricia Azevedo ^[1] ; de Brito Sampaio, Leticia Pereira ^[2] ; Teixeira Damasceno, Nagila Raquel ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Postgrad Program Appl Human Nutr, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Childrens Inst, Hosp Clin, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Publ Hlth, Dept Nutr, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Clinics; v. 69, n. 10, p. 699-705, 2014.
• Web of Science Citations: 17

Abstract

A ketogenic diet is an important therapy used in the control of drug-refractory seizures. Many studies have shown that children and adolescents following ketogenic diets exhibit an over 50% reduction in seizure frequency, which is considered to be clinically relevant. These benefits are based on a diet containing high fat (approximately 90% fat) for 24 months. This dietary model was proposed in the 1920s and has produced variable clinical responses. Previous studies have shown that the mechanisms underlying seizure control involve ketone bodies, which are produced by fatty acid oxidation. Although the pathways involved in the ketogenic diet are not entirely clear, the main effects of the production of ketone bodies appear to be neurotransmitter modulation and antioxidant effects on the brain. This review highlights the impacts of the ketogenic diet on the modulation of neurotransmitters, levels of biogenic monoamines and protective antioxidant mechanisms of neurons. In addition, future perspectives are proposed. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/03775-0 - Impact of a ketogenic diet in the oxidative characteristics, physical and lipid lipoproteins of children with intractable epilepsy
• Grantee: Patricia Azevedo de Lima
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master