Pet Therapy
Pets are therapeutic for many people for all kinds of reasons, but for people with epilepsy, an additional benefit of owning a dog has been noted: though we are not certain why, dogs tend to reduce overall seizure numbers. Trained seizure dogs can sometimes sense that a seizure is coming on, and can alert the owner, bark to alert others, and provide protection and companionship after the seizure. Warning: if you are considering getting a dog, make sure you do your homework. To avoid risk, have your dog trained by professionals. Dr. Stephen Brown, together with Val Strong, has been researching seizure dogs in England, and can be reached at stephen.brown@cornwall.nhs.uk.

THINGS YOU CAN EAT

Nutritional Influences on Epilepsy
You are what you eat. This time-honoured cliché may be worth another look in the treatment of epilepsy. What you take into your body affects brain chemistry. There is much research examining the complex activity of amino acids, vitamins, minerals and hormones—the nutrients that affect the brain. A number of nutritional experts, naturopaths, homeopaths, Chinese medicine practitioners, and medical doctors discussed this topic, which doesn’t lend itself easily to compression for our purposes here. The message to take away, however, is that seizures may be influenced, both positively and negatively, by nutrients, and it’s most important to know what you are doing, and make sure that your doctors know too.

Herbal Treatment of Epilepsy
In 1858, Sir Edward Henry Sieveking wrote, “There is scarcely a substance in the world, capable of passing through the gullet of man, that has not at one time or other enjoyed a reputation of being an anti-epileptic’’. While certainly many substances reputed to have anticonvulsant properties do not, many herbal substances are gaining new attention as alternative methods of seizure control. Researchers worldwide have now tested over 100 compounds for antiepileptic properties, and approximately 50 of them have shown evidence of being effective. Of course, the properties of many of these herbs have been known since ancient times, but only now are we beginning to support that traditional knowledge with modern testing methods.

*For a discussion of this topic in greater depth, readers are advised to consult Herbal Medicines and Epilepsy:The Potential for Benefit and Adverse Effects, by Dr. Marcello Spinella, in the December 2001 issue of Epilepsy & Behavior, edited by Dr. Steven Schachter.

We now know more about the mechanisms involved in herbal anticonvulsants.* For example, valerian, kava, lobelia, and passion flower have a sedative effect and may improve sleep. Valerian and kava increase brain GABA and act on GABA receptors. However, they may influence the effects of antiepileptic medications, increasing their sedative and cognitive effects. Certain combinations of herbs, from Chinese medicine, are also thought to be quite beneficial. However, more research, screening for harmful agents, and human-based studies are needed. Ideally, scientists would isolate the active antiepileptic ingredients in these plants while removing any harmful compounds. But even helpful herbs may not be helpful for all people. Some of these herbs can also cause seizures, depending on the person and the dose. NOTE: Since the conference, Kava has been pulled off the Canadian market because of reports of liver damage. In addition, anticonvulsant medications all interact with herbs, and may cause an increase or decrease in the efficacy of the medication. All this can be harmful.

Consult your physician to be sure that a particular herb will not be dangerous for you. Remember: if claims made about herbal products sound too good to be true, they probably are.

HERBS THAT CAUSE SEIZURES
Kava Kava: tonic-clonic seizures from toxicity and withdrawal
Marijuana: intoxication or withdrawal may cause seizures
Skullcap: confusion and convulsions with high doses
Caffeine: lowers seizure threshold: green tea, guarana
Ma Huang: has ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, lowers threshold
Evening primrose oil, Borage (starflower): Gamolenic Acid lowers seizure threshold.
Goldenseal: hydrastine lowers threshold
Ginseng: lowers threshold
Ginkgo Biloba: tonic-clonic seizures reported; contains Neurotoxin 4-O-methylpyridoxine
Thujone-containing herbs: wormwood, sage; lower threshold