Patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) show an altered composition of the intestinal microbiota compared to non-drug-resistant patients and healthy controls. The ketogenic diet and Atkins, can reduce seizures in patients with DRE by altering the composition of the microbiota. Preclinical studies have in fact demonstrated that certain bacterial phyla are necessary to confer efficacy to the diet and that antibiotic drugs, can eliminate this efficacy.
Diet may have an impact on altering the microbiota, promoting specific interactions between microorganisms and changing brain neurotransmitters that may in turn influence seizures. In animal models, the composition of the microbiota may change with the intake of antiepileptic drugs.
Probiotics could in fact be an innovative therapy and some studies show that they can reduce crises in some patients.
Year: 2020
Nationality: USA
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