HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Correspondence: Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when Correspondence are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Kossoff, E. H. Articles by Freeman, J. M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Kossoff, E. H. Articles by Freeman, J. M. Related Collections Nutritional All Clinical trials Clinical trials Observational study (Cohort, Case control) All Epilepsy/Seizures

Efficacy of the Atkins diet as therapy for intractable epilepsy

From the Department of Neurology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Eric H. Kossoff, Jefferson 128, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287-1000; e-mail: ekossoff{at}jhmi.edu

The ketogenic diet is effective for treating seizures in children with epilepsy. The Atkins diet can also induce a ketotic state, but has fewer protein and caloric restrictions, and has been used safely by millions of people worldwide for weight reduction. Six patients, aged 7 to 52 years, were started on the Atkins diet for the treatment of intractable focal and multifocal epilepsy. Five patients maintained moderate to large ketosis for periods of 6 weeks to 24 months; three patients had seizure reduction and were able to reduce antiepileptic medications. This provides preliminary evidence that the Atkins diet may have a role as therapy for patients with medically resistant epilepsy.

Received July 11, 2003. Accepted in final form September 8, 2003.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K. S. Mastriani, V. C. Williams, T. C. Hulsey, J. W. Wheless, and B. L. Maria Evidence-Based Versus Reported Epilepsy Management Practices J Child Neurol, May 1, 2008; 23(5): 507 - 514. [Abstract] [PDF]

				E. C Westman, R. D Feinman, J. C Mavropoulos, M. C Vernon, J. S Volek, J. A Wortman, W. S Yancy, and S. D Phinney Low-carbohydrate nutrition and metabolism Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, August 1, 2007; 86(2): 276 - 284. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. M. Freeman, E. H. Kossoff, and A. L. Hartman The Ketogenic Diet: One Decade Later Pediatrics, March 1, 2007; 119(3): 535 - 543. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R Kneen and R E Appleton Alternative approaches to conventional antiepileptic drugs in the management of paediatric epilepsy Arch. Dis. Child., November 1, 2006; 91(11): 936 - 941. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. D. Sheth and B. E. Gidal Topical Review: Optimizing Epilepsy Management in Teenagers J Child Neurol, April 1, 2006; 21(4): 273 - 279. [Abstract] [PDF]

				C. B. Henderson, F. M. Filloux, S. C. Alder, J. L. Lyon, and D. A. Caplin Efficacy of the Ketogenic Diet as a Treatment Option for Epilepsy: Meta-analysis J Child Neurol, March 1, 2006; 21(3): 193 - 198. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. Nadkarni, J. LaJoie, and O. Devinsky Current treatments of epilepsy Neurology, June 28, 2005; 64(12_suppl_3): S2 - S11. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]