Clinical and magnetic resonance study of a case of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis treated with ketogenic diet

BMJ Neurol Open. 2021 Jul 23;3(2):e000176. doi: 10.1136/bmjno-2021-000176. eCollection 2021.

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.

Keywords: MR; clinical neurology; infectious diseases.