INVESTIGATING THE GUT MICROBIOTA IN PEDIATRIC REFRACTORY EPILEPSY
Summary
A high-fat, low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet can be an effective therapy for epilepsy. However, the way it works is unclear. We all have clusters of bacteria that normally live in our gut (gut microbiota).Research in animals shows that the anti-seizure effect of the ketogenic diet is blocked when you remove their gut microbes. Not much is known about gut microbiota in humans on the ketogenic diet.
We are recruiting participants to compare the gut microbiota of healthy children and those with epilepsy before and after starting the diet. We believe that the ketogenic diet can change the gut microbiota, and that some specific microbes may be related to the effectiveness of the ketogenic diet in controlling seizures.
Eligibility
Eligible gender: Male, Female, Transgender, Other
Eligible ages: 2 to 18
Accepts healthy participants: Yes
Inclusion criteria:
You may be eligible if you:
1. have been diagnosed with epilepsy
2. are between the ages of 2 and 18 years
3. have not previously been on the ketogenic diet
Exclusion criteria:
You may NOT be eligible if you:
1. are taking prebiotics or probiotics
2. have used antibiotics in the past 3 months
3. have an ongoing infection
4. have bowel disease
5. have a history of allergic reaction or intolerance to maltodextrin or inulin
Participate
Fill out the following form if you want to participate in this research
Collection of personal information
Your personal information is collected under
the authority of section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. If
you have any questions about the collection or use of this information, please visit our
Access to Information page.
Additional information
Contact information
Dr. Sarila Sanhan; epbiome.com
Principal investigator:
Juan Appendino
Clinical trial:
Yes
REB-ID:
REB19-1811