Treatment of acquired epileptic aphasia with the ketogenic diet.
Acquired epileptic aphasia remains a poorly understood entity, which is frequently difficult to treat. Previously described treatment modalities have included antiepileptic drugs, corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, and multiple subpial transections. We describe three patients with acquired epileptic aphasia refractory to traditional treatments who were successfully treated with the ketogenic diet. All three patients had lasting improvement of their language, behavior, and seizures for 26, 24, and 12 months, respectively. This is the first reported series of patients with acquired epileptic aphasia successfully treated with the ketogenic diet, and suggests a new therapeutic alternative for patients with this often difficult-to-treat disorder.
Bergqvist
A G
AG
Pediatric Regional Epilepsy Program, Division of Neurology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. bergqvist@email.chop.edu
Chee
C M
CM
Lutchka
L M
LM
Brooks-Kayal
A R
AR
D020155:3-Hydroxybutyric Acid / Q000097:blood; D000293:Adolescent; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001037:Aphasia / Q000209:etiology*; D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007659:Ketones / Q000652:urine; D007662:Ketosis; D008297:Male; D012074:Remission Induction; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D004041:Dietary Fats; D007659:Ketones; D020155:3-Hydroxybutyric Acid