Ketone bodies, glycolysis, and KATP channels in the mechanism of the ketogenic diet.

Abstract

The ketogenic diet (KD) has shown remarkable efficacy in the treatment of drug-resistant childhood epilepsy. Our understanding of how the KD produces its anticonvulsant and antiepileptogenic effects remains incomplete, which is perhaps not surprising for a biological manipulation as sweeping as dietary change. Several hypotheses focus on ketone bodies, fuel molecules that circulate at millimolar concentrations in the blood of patients on a KD, as causative agents. Here I consider some recent evidence for one such hypothesis, involving a possible role for altered glycolysis and consequent activation of a class of potassium channels called K(ATP)channels.

• Authors: Gary Yellen
• Journal: Epilepsia (Epilepsia) Vol. 49 Suppl 8 Pg. 80-2 (Nov 2008) ISSN: 1528-1167 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19049596 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• KATP Channels
• Ketone Bodies

Topics

• Animals
• Brain (metabolism)
• Diet, Ketogenic
• Epilepsy (diet therapy)
• Glycolysis (physiology)
• Humans
• KATP Channels (metabolism)
• Ketone Bodies (metabolism)