title: Non-randomized open trial of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), an omega-3 fatty acid, in ten people with chronic epilepsy.
abstract: This is a non-randomized open assessment of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) supplementation in ten people (five males) with refractory focal seizures. Each received 1000 mg of EPA daily for 3 months. Six people had fewer seizures during the supplementation period compared with baseline (range 12 to 59% reduction) and one other person had markedly reduced seizure severity. The mean reduction in seizure frequency was 16% (95% CI - 10% to 35%, p=0.26). With the small number of participants and open nature of the study, interpretation of the results is difficult, but a possible weak effect of EPA on seizures cannot be discounted. Further examination of EPA supplementation should be undertaken with larger numbers of people in controlled trials. Higher doses and longer duration of treatment should be considered.
authors.affiliation: UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK. alan@yuen.co.uk
authors.forename: Alan W C
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Yuen
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Flugel
authors.forename: Annkathrin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Poepel
authors.forename: Gail S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: Janet L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Peacock
authors.forename: Josemir W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Sander
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000178:diet therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid