Is there a role for diet monotherapy in adult epilepsy?

Ten adults were treated with ketogenic diet monotherapy for epilepsy. Four patients were naïve to antiseizure drugs (ASDs), and six previously tried and stopped ASDs. Of four treatment-naïve participants, two (50%) were free from disabling seizures on Modified Atkins Diet (MAD) monotherapy for > 1 year. Two (50%) stopped. Four of six patients (67%) who had previously tried ASDs became seizure-free on diet monotherapy, and two experienced > 50% seizure reduction. Side effects included amenorrhea, weight loss, osteoporosis, and hyperlipidemia. Diet monotherapy may be feasible, well-tolerated, and effective for adults with epilepsy who refuse pharmacotherapy and those for whom lifelong diet therapy is recommended.