National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Lafora disease

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Is a ketogenic diet known to help individuals with Lafora disease?
The impact of a long-term ketogenic diet was studied in five people with Lafora disease. Although the diet was well-tolerated by patients, it did not stop disease progression or improve symptoms. However, given the small study population, the researchers could not exclude the possibility that a ketogenic diet has the potential to slow down the disease progression. Larger studies are needed to evaluate the impact of a ketogenic diet in treating patients with Lafora disease.[1]
Last updated: 9/29/2015

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  1. Cardinali S, Canafoglia L, Bertoli S, Franceschetti S, Lanzi G, Tagliabue A, Veggiotti P. A pilot study of a ketogenic diet in patients with Lafora body disease. Epilepsy Res. 2006; 69(2):129-34. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16504479. Accessed 4/12/2012.