Severe progressive epilepsy
Despite the good prognosis for the control of epilepsy with
medications for most patients, a small minority continue to
have seizures, some of them intractable and progressive. Some
epileptic syndromes, such as severe myoclonic epilepsy in
infancy, are difficult to treat, and cognitive decline has been
recognised as a consequence. For some patients, surgery is
now a realistic alternative therapy. Others may benefit from a
ketogenic diet (high fat, adequate protein, low carbohydrate) or
vagal-nerve stimulation.