GregJonesLaw_8Q52_2012-12-07_Fri_New Drug May Replace Ketogenic Diet as Epilepsy Treatment

A study that has been published in a recent issue of Neuropharmacologyis showing that a new pill could replace the ketogenic diet as an epilepsy treatment for patients who are proving to be resistant to prescription drugs.

Researchers from Royal Holloway and the University College London collaborated to find out which fatty acids could be used to prevent epilepsy and which ones could help control seizures. The goal was to find a way to replace the ketogenic diet, which is generally prescribed to epileptic patients who have proven resistant to medications like Topamax. While the diet does have its critics, it has proven successful. During their research, the scientists were hoping to develop a pill that could have the same benefits as the ketogenic diet, but without the side effects.

“This is an important breakthrough,” says professor Robin Williams from the Centre of Biomedical Sciences at Royal Holloway. “The family of medium chain fatty acids that we have identified provide an exciting new field of research with the potential of identifying stronger and safer epilepsy treatments.”

As a means of achieving that, the researchers tested various fatty acids that the ketogenic diet uses against treatments that have already proven effective. Some fatty acids proved more effective than anti-seizures drugs; in addition, the fatty acids offered fewer side effects.

“Epilepsy effects over 50 million people worldwide and approximately a third of these people have epilepsy that is not adequately controlled by our present treatments,” professor Matthew Walker from the Institute of Neurology, University College London, said. “This discovery offers a whole new approach to the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsies in children and adults.”

One of the prescription anti-seizure medications that has proven dangerous is Topamax. Topamax is a popular epilepsy treatment but is firmly linked to birth defects in babies whose mothers take the drug while pregnant. The birth defects linked to Topamax include PPHN, oral clefts, spina bifida, neural tube defects and heart, lung and brain defects.

If your baby was born with birth defects due to in-utero exposure to Topamax, contact attorney Greg Jones today for a free consultation. I am experienced at fighting Topamax lawsuits and may be able to help you receive compensation for your child’s injuries.