The differential effects of eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids on seizure frequency in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy – A Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Ibrahim, Fatma A. S., Ghebremeskel, Kebreab, Abdel-Rahman, Manar E., Ahmed, Amar A. M., Gashey, Inaam M., Osman, Ghada, Elseed, Maha, Hamed, Ahlam, Rabinowicz, Adrian, Elbashir, Mustafa I. and Daak, Ahmed A. (2018) The differential effects of eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids on seizure frequency in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy – A Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Epilepsy & Behavior, 87. pp. 32-38. ISSN 1525-5050

[img]
Preview
Text
Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Drug Resistant Epilepsy - Epilepsy & Behavior.pdf - Accepted Version

Download (410kB) | Preview
Official URL: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/epilepsy-and-beh...

Abstract / Description

Abstract
The omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are known to play an important role in maintenance and modulation of neuronal functions. There is evidence that omega-3 fatty acids may have anticonvulsant effects. The effect of DHA and EPA on seizure rate in patients with DRE was investigated. Methods: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial included ninety-nine (n=99) DRE patients, aged 5-16 (n=85) and 17-45 (n=14). After randomization, patients were given two, four or six capsules per day of DHA (417.8 mg DHA and 50.8 mg EPA/capsule, n=33), EPA (385.6 mg EPA and 81.2 mg DHA/capsule, n=33) or placebo (high oleic acid sunflower oil, n=33) for one year. The primary endpoint was the effect of treatment on rate of seizure. Random-effects negative binomial regression models were fitted to model the patients’ total count of seizures per month. The treatment effects on seizure incidence rate ratio was tested after controlling for the covariate effects of gender, age, rate of seizure per week at enrollment, type of seizure and number of AEDs combinations used at enrollment. Results: Fifty-nine patients (n=59) completed the study (59.6%).The average number of seizures per month were 9.7 ± 1.2 in the EPA group, 11.7 ± 1.5 in the DHA group, and 16.6 ± 1.5 in the placebo group. Age, gender and seizure type adjusted seizure incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of the EPA and DHA groups compared with the placebo were 0.61 (CI= 0.42-0.88, p=0.008, 42% reduction) and 0.67 (CI = 0.46-1.0, p= 0.04, 39% reduction), respectively. There was no difference in IRR between the EPA and DHA groups (p=0.56). Both treatment groups had a significantly higher number of seizure-free days compared to placebo (p<0.05). Significance: This study demonstrates that EPA and DHA are effective in reducing seizure frequency in patients with DRE.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Omega-3 fatty acids, Seizure incidence rate, Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs)
Subjects: 600 Technology > 610 Medicine & health
Department: School of Human Sciences
Depositing User: Kebreab Ghebremeskel
Date Deposited: 21 Sep 2018 08:42
Last Modified: 07 Apr 2020 13:51
URI: https://repository.londonmet.ac.uk/id/eprint/3209

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year



Downloads each year

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item