Atkins-Like Diet Cuts Epileptic Seizures

But Kossoff thinks the diet can be simplified to make it easier to follow. "We are looking at less time in the clinic and fewer restrictions and without a dietitian," he said.

Dr. Gholam Motamedi, director of the epilepsy service at Georgetown University Hospital, thinks the diet can be useful for patients who have no other options.

"The study is promising, especially given that patients with refractory epilepsy in particular -- those who are not surgical candidates -- are left with not much hope," he said.

Normally, the plan for these patients is to try a combination of different drugs or to use vagus nerve stimulation, but none of these options offers much hope of seizure control, Motamedi said.

"Therefore, having another modality available is always welcomed by the neurologists," he said. "It also encourages basic research looking for insight to the underlying reasons for epilepsy."

More information

For more on epilepsy, visit the Epilepsy Foundation.

SOURCES: Eric H. Kossoff, M.D., assistant professor of neurology and pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore; Gholam Motamedi, M.D., associate professor of neurology, director, epilepsy service, Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, D.C.; February 2008,Epilepsia