Path analysis shows that increasing ketogenic ratio, but not β-hydroxybutyrate, elevates seizure threshold in the rat

Previous work has identified several criteria that may be important in determining the efficacy of the ketogenic diet as a treatment for intractable epilepsy in children. The present study was designed to investigate the influence of four major variables on seizure threshold, i.e. ketogenic ratio, body weight, age at diet onset and beta-hydroxybutyrate in rats. Path analysis was used to statistically model and quantify the causal relationships among variables. Results indicate that seizure threshold was significantly elevated with increasing ketogenic ratios (i.e. more fats vs. carbohydrates and proteins) and decreasing weight. Conversely, age at diet onset and plasma levels of beta-OHB showed no causal relation to seizure resistance. These results suggest that the efficacy of the ketogenic diet is independent of the level of ketonemia but is markedly influenced by diet and growth. Copyright (C) 1999 S. Karger AG, Basel.