How gut bacteria affect seizures and epilepsy treatment

Researchers are investigating whether the bacteria living in your gut play a role in epilepsy and how they may be affected by seizure medications or epilepsy treatments. This study will follow people newly diagnosed with seizures and people with drug-resistant epilepsy (seizures that don't respond well to medication) for up to one year, collecting information about their symptoms, gut bacteria, and response to different treatments like surgery, vagus nerve stimulation, or ketogenic diet therapy.

Scientists have noticed a strong connection between gut bacteria and epilepsy, but don't yet understand whether unhealthy gut bacteria trigger seizures, or whether seizure medications change the bacteria. This study aims to clarify that relationship so doctors can eventually develop better treatments based on gut health.