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Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research

The efficacy of the modified Atkins diet in North Sea Progressive Myoclonus Epilepsy: an observational prospective open-label study

Authors: Martje E. van Egmond, Amerins Weijenberg, Margreet E. van Rijn, Jan Willem J. Elting, Jeannette M. Gelauff, Rodi Zutt, Deborah A. Sival, Roald A. Lambrechts, Marina A. J. Tijssen, Oebele F. Brouwer, Tom J. de Koning

Published in: Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases | Issue 1/2017

Abstract

Background

North Sea Progressive Myoclonus Epilepsy is a rare and severe disorder caused by mutations in the GOSR2 gene. It is clinically characterized by progressive myoclonus, seizures, early-onset ataxia and areflexia. As in other progressive myoclonus epilepsies, the efficacy of antiepileptic drugs is disappointingly limited in North Sea Progressive Myoclonus Epilepsy. The ketogenic diet and the less restrictive modified Atkins diet have been proven to be effective in other drug-resistant epilepsy syndromes, including those with myoclonic seizures. Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of the modified Atkins diet in patients with North Sea Progressive Myoclonus Epilepsy.

Results

Four North Sea Progressive Myoclonus Epilepsy patients (aged 7–20 years) participated in an observational, prospective, open-label study on the efficacy of the modified Atkins diet. Several clinical parameters were assessed at baseline and again after participants had been on the diet for 3 months. The primary outcome measure was health-related quality of life, with seizure frequency and blinded rated myoclonus severity as secondary outcome measures.

Ketosis was achieved within 2 weeks and all patients completed the 3 months on the modified Atkins diet. The diet was well tolerated by all four patients. Health-related quality of life improved considerably in one patient and showed sustained improvement during long-term follow-up, despite the progressive nature of the disorder. Health-related quality of life remained broadly unchanged in the other three patients and they did not continue the diet. Seizure frequency remained stable and blinded rating of their myoclonus showed improvement, albeit modest, in all patients.

Conclusions

This observational, prospective study shows that some North Sea Progressive Myoclonus Epilepsy patients may benefit from the modified Atkins diet with sustained health-related quality of life improvement. Not all our patients continued on the diet, but nonetheless we show that the modified Atkins diet might be considered as a possible treatment in this devastating disorder.

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Title: The efficacy of the modified Atkins diet in North Sea Progressive Myoclonus Epilepsy: an observational prospective open-label study
Authors: Martje E. van Egmond
Amerins Weijenberg
Margreet E. van Rijn
Jan Willem J. Elting
Jeannette M. Gelauff
Rodi Zutt
Deborah A. Sival
Roald A. Lambrechts
Marina A. J. Tijssen
Oebele F. Brouwer
Tom J. de Koning
Publication date: 01-12-2017
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1750-1172
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13023-017-0595-3

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

The efficacy of the modified Atkins diet in North Sea Progressive Myoclonus Epilepsy: an observational prospective open-label study

Abstract

Background

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Results

Conclusions

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