Abstracts

Rationale: To determine if the Low Glycemic Index Treatment (LGIT) is an effective epilepsy treatment for individuals with Tuberous Sclerosis ComplexMethods: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients initiating the LGIT at the Massachusetts General Hospital for Children between January of 2002 and 2007. Further analysis was limited to individuals starting LGIT who carried a diagnosis of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC). Information obtained included demographics, seizure type and frequency per parental or self report, current and previous medications and treatments for epilepsy as well as TSC genotypeResults: From January 2002-2007, ninety eight patients were educated regarding the use of the LGIT as a dietary therapy for treatment of their intractable epilepsy. Seven of these patients carried the diagnosis of TSC. Ages of the TSC patients ranged from 1.6 to 21 years. Followup on LGIT of the TSC population ranged from 2 to 29 months. The TSC group included 5 males and 2 females. Prior to diet initiation the TSC patients had previously been on a range of 2-11 anticonvulsant medications, with an average of 7.5. Two patients transitioned from the ketogenic diet(KD) to LGIT and were able to maintain the seizure control achieved while on the KD, which included complete seizure control in one patient and a < 50% seizure reduction in the other. The second patient continued on LGIT due to perceived benefit by family, as diet provided control of drop seizures; the patient continued to have intermittent nocturnal generalized tonic clonic seizures while on dietary therapy. Of the 5 TSC patients without a history of previous dietary therapy, on LGIT one experienced a >90% reduction in seizure frequency, three had a 50-90% seizure reduction, and one had < 50% reduction in seizure frequencyConclusions: Conclusions: The low glycemic index treatment may be an effective treatment option for individuals with TSC and refractory epilepsy.