Fasting and ketogenic diet effects on audiogenic seizures susceptibility of magnesium deficient rats.

Because fasting and ketogenic diets decrease seizure susceptibility in epileptics, their anticonvulsant effects were studied using sound-induced seizures in the magnesium-deficient rat. Fasting markedly depressed seizure incidence and severity but did not affect latency (sec to seizure onset). High-fat diet increased incidence of audiogenic seizures and seizure severity, and decreased latency. Gavage of medium chain triglyceride, beta-hydroxybutyrate or glucose did not affect seizure incidence, seizure severity or latency. Nonspecific excitability level was not associated with treatment nor with seizure incidence, severity or latency time.