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Current Neuropharmacology

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1570-159X
ISSN (Online): 1875-6190

Review Article

The Anticonvulsant Effects of Ketogenic Diet on Epileptic Seizures and Potential Mechanisms

Author(s): Yifan Zhang, Jingwei Xu, Kun Zhang, Wei Yang* and Bingjin Li*

Volume 16, Issue 1, 2018

Page: [66 - 70] Pages: 5

DOI: 10.2174/1570159X15666170517153509

Price: $65

Abstract

Background: Epilepsy is a syndrome of brain dysfunction induced by the aberrant excitability of certain neurons. Despite advances in surgical technique and anti-epileptic drug in recent years, recurrent epileptic seizures remain intractable and lead to a serious morbidity in the world. The ketogenic diet refers to a high-fat, low-carbohydrate and adequate-protein diet. Currently, its beneficial effects on epileptic seizure reduction have been well established. However, the detailed mechanisms underlying the anti-epileptic effects of ketogenic diet are still poorly understood. In this article, the possible roles of ketogenic diet on epilepsy were discussed.

Methods: Data was obtained from the websites including Web of Science, Medline, Pubmed, Scopus, based on these keywords: “Ketogenic diet” and “epilepsy”.

Results: As shown in both clinical and basic studies, the therapeutic effects of ketogenic diet might involve neuronal metabolism, neurotransmitter function, neuronal membrane potential and neuron protection against ROS.

Conclusion: In this review, we systematically reviewed the effects and possible mechanisms of ketogenic diet on epilepsy, which may optimize the therapeutic strategies against epilepsy.

Keywords: Epilepsy, seizure, ketogenic diet, GABA, neuron, animal.

Graphical Abstract

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