M. Valente, I. Del Negro, D. Bagatto, R. Garbo, C. Lettieri, A. Bernardini, A. Nilo, MR. Peri, D. Pecori, et al. (2021). Clinical and magnetic resonance study of a case of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis treated with ketogenic diet. BMJ neurology open, 3(2), e000176. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjno-2021-000176

PubMed 34396129

[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.