Article

Non-randomized open trial of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), an omega-3 fatty acid, in ten people with chronic epilepsy.

UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK.
Epilepsy & Behavior (impact factor: 2.34). 02/2012; 23(3):370-2. DOI:10.1016/j.yebeh.2011.11.030 pp.370-2
Source: PubMed

ABSTRACT This is a non-randomized open assessment of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) supplementation in ten people (five males) with refractory focal seizures. Each received 1000 mg of EPA daily for 3 months. Six people had fewer seizures during the supplementation period compared with baseline (range 12 to 59% reduction) and one other person had markedly reduced seizure severity. The mean reduction in seizure frequency was 16% (95% CI - 10% to 35%, p=0.26). With the small number of participants and open nature of the study, interpretation of the results is difficult, but a possible weak effect of EPA on seizures cannot be discounted. Further examination of EPA supplementation should be undertaken with larger numbers of people in controlled trials. Higher doses and longer duration of treatment should be considered.

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Keywords

3 months
 
59% reduction
 
EPA
 
EPA supplementation
 
larger numbers
 
males
 
non-randomized open assessment
 
open nature
 
possible weak effect
 
refractory focal seizures
 
seizure frequency
 
seizure severity
 
seizures
 
supplementation period
 
trials