Abstract
Long chain omega-3 fatty acids (omega-3 FAs) supplements have been shown to exert beneficial effects in patients with epilepsy through elevation of seizure thresholds and dampening of inflammatory responses. In this triple blind randomized, placebo-controlled parallel group trial of omega-3 FA supplementation, 180 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 120 mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) as well as placebo capsules were administered twice a day in 50 patients with refractory seizure during a 16-week period respectively. Seizure frequency and duration were reduced after completion of the treatment in the supplement group. The supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in TNF-α and IL-6 concentrations. Further studies are needed to compare different omega-3 FA compositions and determine the most effective dose and treatment duration as well as the long term benefits of this supplementation.
Highlights
Epilepsy as one of the most common neurologic disorders has led to significant morbidity and mortality [1]
We evaluated the effects of omega-3 fatty acids (FAs) supplementation on clinical and paraclinical features of refractory epilepsy including the levels of proinflammatory cytokines in a triple blind clinical trial
In the present triple blind clinical trial, we demonstrated beneficial effects of omega-3 FA administration in reduction of seizure frequency and duration in patients with refractory seizures
Summary
Epilepsy as one of the most common neurologic disorders has led to significant morbidity and mortality [1]. 40% of epileptic patients are unresponsive to pharmacological management and are characterized as having refractory seizures. Non-pharmacological treatment modalities including administration of omega-3 fatty acids (FAs) have been suggested to be effective in control of seizure frequency in refractory epileptic patients [3]. These kinds of FAs as principal elements of. The epileptogenesis process has been linked with the over-production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 as demonstrated by increased susceptibility to seizures in inflammatory disorders such as colitis, pneumonia and rheumatoid arthritis [8]. Several studies have demonstrated the malfunction of the blood–brain
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