Altered gut microbiome composition in children with refractory epilepsy after ketogenic dietOriginal paper
Karen Pendergrass is a microbiome researcher specializing in microbiome-targeted interventions (MBTIs). She systematically analyzes scientific literature to identify microbial patterns, develop hypotheses, and validate interventions. As the founder of the Microbiome Signatures Database, she bridges microbiome research with clinical practice. In 2012, based on her own investigative research, she became the first documented case of FMT for Celiac Disease, four years before the first published case study.
Read MoreWhat was studied?
Researchers examined gut microbiota composition in 20 children with refractory epilepsy before and after six months of ketogenic diet (KD) therapy. They looked for bacterial biomarkers linked to clinical efficacy.
How was it studied?
Fecal samples were collected prior to and six months after KD therapy and analyzed by 16S rDNA sequencing. Seizure outcomes and EEG changes were also tracked to define responders versus non-responders.
What did they find?
After six months, 2 children were seizure free, 3 had at least 90% seizure reduction, 5 had 50 to 89% reduction, and 10 had less than 50% reduction. All 10 responders showed EEG improvement. KD reduced alpha diversity, decreased Firmicutes, and increased Bacteroidetes, while Clostridiales, Ruminococcaceae, Rikenellaceae, Lachnospiraceae, and Alistipes were enriched in non-responders.
Why it matters
The findings suggest specific gut microbiota shifts may serve as biomarkers of KD efficacy in refractory epilepsy. This points to gut microbiota as a potential therapeutic target alongside dietary intervention.