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Ketogenic Diet for New-Onset Absence Epilepsy

NCT04274179 · Status: RECRUITING · Phase: PHASE3 · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 40

Last updated 2026-05-07

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

The ketogenic diet is a medical therapy for epilepsy that is used nearly predominantly for refractory epilepsy (after 2-3 drugs have been tried and failed). However, there is both published evidence for first-line use (infantile spasms, Glut1 deficiency syndrome) and also anecdotal experience (families choosing to change the child's (or the family' own) diet rather than use anticonvulsant medications). Childhood absence epilepsy (refractory) has been published as being responsive to ketogenic diet therapy by the investigators' group previously. This is a small, prospective, 3 month trial to assess if using a modified Atkins diet is a feasible and effective option for new-onset childhood absence epilepsy. The investigators will compare to a group of children in which the parents have declined and chose to start anticonvulsant medications.

Conditions

  • Absence Epilepsy
  • Ketogenic Dieting
  • Epilepsy, Absence

Interventions

OTHER

Modified Atkins Diet

Low carb (20g/day), high fat, moderate protein diet. Started as an outpatient in clinic.

DRUG

Absence epilepsy medications

At neurologist's discretion. \*OF NOTE\< THIS ARM IS COMPLETED

Sponsors & Collaborators

Principal Investigators

  • Eric H Kossoff, MD · Johns Hopkins University

Study Design

Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
3 Years
Max Age
12 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2020-08-10
Primary Completion
2028-05-01
Completion
2028-05-01
FDA Drug
Yes

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

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Entities

Companies

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT04274179 on ClinicalTrials.gov