The beneficial effect of probiotics as a supplementary treatment in drug-resistant epilepsy: a pilot study

Abstract

Epilepsy is a neurological disease with high global prevalence. Despite the range of drug-based treatments currently available to control the condition, one in 3 patients experiences epileptic seizures. Therapeutic alternatives for these patients include the ketogenic diet, surgery or the cerebral implantation of neurostimulators; however these are benefits with limits. The target of this study is to find a new complementary treatment for these patients, studying the effectiveness of probiotics for controlling epileptic seizures in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. A prospective study was designed in which a group of patients with drug-resistant epilepsy was administered a probiotic mixture for 4 months. Patients were assessed before and after taking the probiotics; among other variables, number of seizures and patients’ quality of life (QOLIE-10) were monitored. Levels of cD-14, interleukin 6, and γ-aminobutyric acid were also analysed throughout the study. 45 patients were included in the study. In an intention-to-treat analysis, 28.9% of all patients displayed a greater than 50% reduction in the number of seizures (the parameter required in clinical trials). A significant improvement was also observed in patients’ quality of life. We found that probiotics may be an option for supplementary therapy. Since the use of probiotics is safe, they may contribute to improving seizure control, and therefore quality of life, in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. The study has been registered in https://clinicaltrials.gov with number NCT03403907.