2014 Grant Recipient – Elizabeth Thiele
Low Glycemic Index Treatment in Patients with LGS
Massachusetts General Hospital
Lay Abstract:
Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) is a highly refractory seizure disorder characterized by multiple seizure types, a slow spike-and-wave EEG pattern, and cognitive impairment. LGS also impacts development and cognition, often with effects that are quite severe. The ketogenic diet has long been an effective alternative to antiepileptic medications in refractory epilepsy, but is very restrictive, leading to decreased compliance and, therefore, efficacy. Low glycemic index therapy (LGIT) is an attractive alternative to the ketogenic diet. The glycemic index (GI) refers to a food’s tendency to raise blood glucose, and the LGIT is based on a diet of foods with a low glycemic index. The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of the LGIT as therapy for epilepsy in LGS.
The LGS Foundation accepts unsolicited proposals year-round to seed new basic, translational, and clinical research projects on LGS. Projects may be funded at the $25,000, $50,000, or $75,000 level.
Updated 05/06/26 (KK)
