Related Experiment Videos
Vitamin E deficiency and seizures in animals and man
Insights
Children with grand mal seizures have lower vitamin E levels. Supplementation with alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) may help prevent seizures, as seen in rodent studies.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Grand mal seizures are a significant neurological concern in children.
- Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) is a potent antioxidant with potential neuroprotective roles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate plasma vitamin E levels in children diagnosed with grand mal convulsive disorders.
- To compare vitamin E levels between children with and without convulsive disorders.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 100 children with grand mal convulsive disorders and 100 age-matched healthy controls.
- Plasma levels of vitamin E were measured using established biochemical assays.
Main Results:
- Children with grand mal convulsive disorders exhibited significantly lower mean plasma vitamin E levels (632.2 ± 17.3 µg/dL) compared to healthy controls (822.5 ± 21.8 µg/dL).
- The difference in vitamin E levels was statistically significant (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Lower plasma vitamin E may be associated with grand mal convulsive disorders in children.
- These findings align with previous research demonstrating the anticonvulsant effects of alpha-tocopherol in animal models, suggesting a potential therapeutic role for vitamin E in seizure management.
Abstract:
Study of 100 children with grand mal convulsive disorders and 100 medically healthy children of matching age showed significantly lower plasma levels of vitamin E in the former (means 632.2 +/- 17.3 and 822.5 +/- 21.8 micrograms/dl respectively; p less than 0.001). This finding accords with the ability to prevent seizures in rodents by giving alpha-tocopherol before exposing them to a convulsion-inducing environment.