Effect of the ketogenic diet on absence seizures in rats with genetic absence epilepsy

The ketogenic diet has long been used in epilepsy treatment, particularly in drug-resistant cases, but its efficacy in idiopathic generalized epilepsy, including absence epilepsy, remains less studied. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the ketogenic diet on absence epilepsy by assessing spike-and-wave discharges (SWDs) in Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rats from Strasbourg (GAERS), with consideration of sex differences.

Thirty-day-old GAERS (n = 24) were randomly assigned to control (standard diet) or experimental (ketogenic diet) groups, with equal numbers of males and females. Stereotaxic surgery was performed at day 51. Blood glucose, ketone levels, and body weight were monitored weekly. Electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings were performed weekly for two weeks. The mean cumulative SWD duration, the mean number of SWDs, and the mean duration of individual SWD during normal rhythmic activity were compared between groups.

The ketogenic diet significantly reduced the mean duration of individual SWD (p < 0.05) in both sexes. However, it did not significantly affect the mean cumulative SWD duration or the mean number of SWDs (p > 0.05). In addition, the ketogenic diet induced ketonemia, lowered venous blood glucose levels, and decreased weight gain.

This study is an original investigation into the efficacy of the ketogenic diet on absence epilepsy in 30-day-old rats, with consideration of the sex factor. The findings of our study contribute to a deeper understanding of the therapeutic potential of the ketogenic diet in the treatment of absence epilepsy.