Post Measles Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE)and the Role of Ketogenic Diet, A Prospective Cohort Study

SSPE is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder occurring after measles infection and is potentially life-threatening.Measles infection remains endemic in Pakistan especially in the lower socioeconomic population where the vaccine coverage is low. The ketogenic diet has been used in a large number of diseases especially intractable epilepsies in children and also in certain neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's in adults. Some of the case reports from India and the USA have reported the beneficial results of ketogenic diet(KD) not only in the control of myoclonic jerks of SSPE but also in stopping and reversing the progress of the disease. There is a definite need to conduct a multi-center trial of KD to establish its effectiveness in SSPE.

At the Aga khan university, the investigators have an experienced team who have been using KD for the last 9 years for intractable epilepsy. At AKU the investigators currently have 4 patients on board for the past 4 months, with diagnosed SSPE on Low Glycemic Index Diet and showing some improvement in their seizure and motor control. Based on these reports, for a poor measles control country like Pakistan, there is a need to work further in order to establish evidence for KD therapy as a treatment for SSPE. The findings of the proposed study will serve as a hope for the improvement of quality of life of patients suffering from SSPE which is a devastating disease with almost 100% mortality .