Clinical and magnetic resonance study of a case of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis treated with ketogenic diet.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by a latent and mutant measles virus which is extremely rare in developed countries. The lack of effective treatments leads to the research of other anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective treatments.

CASE:

Here we present a case of a 17-year-old patient affected by subacute sclerosing panencephalitis who manifest a dramatic improvement in neurological and general clinical conditions, as well as an arrest in the progression of demyelinating process in the central nervous system, after the beginning of a high ratio ketogenic diet.

CONCLUSIONS:

Given its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and metabolic effects, we believe that ketogenic diet utilisation could be a rational approach, can be considered a safe add-on therapy, carrying on with only a minimal risk of adverse effects or interactions.

• Authors: Mariarosaria Valente, Ilaria Del Negro, Daniele Bagatto, Riccardo Garbo, Christian Lettieri, Andrea Bernardini, Annacarmen Nilo, Maria Rosaria Peri, Davide Pecori, Gian Luigi Gigli
• Journal: BMJ neurology open (BMJ Neurol Open) Vol. 3 Issue 2 Pg. e000176 ( 2021) ISSN: 2632-6140 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 34396129 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.