Glucose Metabolism in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a nervous disorder of the brain that results in violent muscular contractions called seizures. Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common form. The temporal lobe is that part of the brain that helps us hear, remember and behave emotionally. Glucose metabolism, by which the body breaks down sugars to produce energy, affects TLE because of blood flow to the brain. It is possible a sugar-free diet can prevent epilepsy.

TLE

• Dr. David Y. Ko of the University of Southern California reports that there are two types of seizures associated with TLE. In the first, a simple seizure, the person does not lose consciousness. In the second, a partial seizure, the person loses awareness. 50 percent of patients experience simple seizures, and 50 percent experience partial seizures. When the seizure is over, the person can feel drowsy, confused and embarrassed.

Causes

• Nerve cells in the brain fire electrical impulses that make the brain function. A seizure results when these nerve cells fire up to four times higher than normal. This causes an "electrical storm in the brain." The person involuntarily convulses and violently thrashes around. Head injuries, lead poisoning, genetics, infectious illnesses, brain tumors and maldevelopment of the brain can cause epileptic seizures. For half of cases, however, no definite cause can be found.

Potential Cure

• Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have discovered a potential cure for epilepsy. It is a sugar compound known as 2DG (.2-deoxy-glucose). This substance actually blocks the onset of epileptic seizures in lab rats, and may be available for use by humans in the near future. Claims Avtar Roopra, Assistant Professor of Neurology: "I see 2DG as an epilepsy management treatment much like insulin is used to treat diabetes."

Correlation

• Cigdem Akman and others in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine contend that increased glucose metabolism could cause changes in the more normal hemisphere of the brain. Repeated TLE seizures can cause the brain's hippocampus structure to shrink over time. For this reason, it is necessary to treat TLE as early as possible.

Assistance

• If you encounter someone having an epileptic seizure, call 911. Roll the person on his or her side, and remove any obstructions in the airway passage. Loosen tight clothing around the person's neck. Stay with the person and arrange transportation to get her home safely.