Genetic influences on ketogenic diet efficacy

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Stacey B. B. Dutton, Emory University; Andrew Escayg, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2008-11
• Publisher: Wiley: 12 months
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2008 International League Against Epilepsy
• Final Published Version (URL): http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1528-1167.2008.01839.x/abstract;jsessionid=E86089DDA66203DB1AB548A79830F0AC.f02t02
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Epilepsia
• ISSN: 0013-9580
• Volume: 49
• Issue: Suppl 8
• Start Page: 67
• End Page: 69
• Grant/Funding Information: This work is supported by NIH Research Grant NS046484 (A.E.).
• Keywords: animal models; SCN1A; severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy; sodium channel; ketogenic diet; epilepsy
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Human Development; Biology, Genetics; Health Sciences, General

Abstract

Summary An average of 15–20% of patients on the ketogenic diet (KD) experience a >50% reduction in seizure frequency; however, 10–40% discontinue the diet due to either a lack of response or adverse side effects. This variability in patient response raises the possibility that genetic factors may influence the efficacy of the KD. As a first step towards identifying these factors, we evaluated the ability of the KD to alter seizure thresholds in 4 commonly used inbred mouse strains: C57BL/6J, FVB/NJ, A/J, and DBA/2J. We observed strain-specific differences, indicating that genetic factors are likely to influence efficacy.