Can epilepsy be treated by antibiotics?

HMH Braakman, J van Ingen - Journal of neurology, 2018 - Springer
HMH Braakman, J van Ingen
Journal of neurology, 2018Springer
There is mounting evidence for the role of the gut microbiota and gut–brain interactions in
neurological diseases. We present six patients with drug-resistant epilepsy who attained
temporary seizure freedom during antibiotic treatment. The effect on seizure frequency
waned within 2 weeks after cessation of antibiotic treatment. We hypothesized that antibiotic
treatments may have a short-term effect, through gut microbiota disruption, on gut–brain
interactions and ultimately seizure frequency. This observed impact of antibiotics on seizure …
Abstract
There is mounting evidence for the role of the gut microbiota and gut–brain interactions in neurological diseases. We present six patients with drug-resistant epilepsy who attained temporary seizure freedom during antibiotic treatment. The effect on seizure frequency waned within 2 weeks after cessation of antibiotic treatment. We hypothesized that antibiotic treatments may have a short-term effect, through gut microbiota disruption, on gut–brain interactions and ultimately seizure frequency. This observed impact of antibiotics on seizure frequency hints at a possible role of the gut microbiota in epilepsy and its manifestations. This begs the question: can epilepsy be treated by antibiotics? Or perhaps in a broader sense: can alterations in the gut microbiota be used as a treatment modality in drug-resistant epilepsy? This concept and the six intriguing cases provide interesting leads for epilepsy management.
Springer