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Effect of Curcumin on Pediatric Intractable Epilepsy
Mina Erfani1, Farah Ashrafzadeh1, Hamid Reza Rahimi2
1Pediatric Neurology Department, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Iranian Journal of Child Neurology
|October 7, 2022
Summary
Nanomicelle curcumin significantly reduced seizures in children with intractable epilepsy. This study suggests curcumin as a potential treatment for drug-resistant pediatric epilepsy.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Epilepsy is a common chronic neurological disorder in children.
- Intractable epilepsy affects one-third of patients unresponsive to antiepileptic drugs.
- Curcumin has demonstrated potential therapeutic effects in epilepsy treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of nanomicelle curcumin as an add-on therapy for intractable pediatric epilepsy.
- To assess the impact of nanomicelle curcumin on seizure frequency in children with drug-resistant epilepsy.
Main Methods:
- A double-blinded, randomized crossover clinical trial involving 22 pediatric patients.
- Patients received either 4 mg/kg/day of nanomicelle curcumin or placebo for 4 weeks, followed by a 2-week washout period and then switched treatments.
- Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 16.
Main Results:
- A total of 22 children were enrolled, with generalized myoclonic seizures being the most common type (42.9%).
- The mean number of seizures decreased significantly from 68.76 pre-intervention to 39.85 post-intervention (P=0.01).
Conclusions:
- Nanomicelle curcumin demonstrated a significant reduction in seizure frequency in children with intractable epilepsy.
- Curcumin treatment holds promise as a therapeutic option for pediatric intractable epilepsy.
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