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Enzymes for Seizures in Children

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurring seizures. Relatively more children than adults experience seizures, and many children will have seizures without necessarily going on to develop epilepsy in adulthood. Enzyme therapy is believed to control or reduce seizure activity in some patients, although its use and function has not medically proved and accepted.

  1. Enzyme Causes of Seizures

    • Seizures in children may be caused, or triggered, by metabolic problems resulting in deficiency of a particular enzyme in the child's body. Such metabolic issues are typically hereditary.

    GABA Transaminase Deficiency

    • GABA transaminase is an enzyme that functions to convert brain gamma-aminobutyric acid into succinate semialdehyde. A rare disorder concerning this conversion is succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency—or SSADH.
      Seizures are a seen in approximately half of all patients with SSADH, and these are thought to be triggered by the GABA transaminase enzyme deficiency causing succinic semialdehyde to be converted instead into gamma-hydroxybutyric acid—or GHB—by a different enzyme. Elevations in GHB are thought to be the cause of neurological symptoms associated with SSADH, including seizures. Therefore, the seizures are thought to be a direct result of GABA transaminase enzyme deficiency.

    Peroxisomal Enzyme Deficiencies

    • Deficiencies of certain peroxisomal enzymes can cause a disorder known as D-bifunctional protein deficiency. Peroxisomes are substances that contain a variety of different enzymes, including catalase. These enzymes work to neutralize free radicals and toxic substances, including alcohol. D-bifunctional potein deficiency characteristically causes seizures in very young children.

    Enzyme Therapies

    • Enzyme replacement therapy can be used when a patient's deficiency in a particular enzyme—or enzymes—has been identified as a possible cause of seizures. Usually, enzyme replacement therapy works by administering an infusion containing the enzyme through an intravenous drip. Enzyme replacement therapy can only treat the symptoms of the problem, not its underlying cause.

    Warnings

    • Anti-epileptic drugs—or AEDs—remain the most effective method of controlling seizures, and enzyme replacement therapy should not be viewed as an alternative to AEDs. Although AEDs may cause unpleasant side-effects, uncontrolled seizures can be extremely dangerous or even fatal. AEDs and enzyme replacement therapy are sometimes used in combination.
      Medical practitioners are encouraged to consider the possibility of interactions between enzyme replacement therapies and certain types of AEDs.

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