Angelman Today January / February edition 2014 | Page 33

90% Improvement in Seizures
My interview with Dr. Ron Thibert from my blog in
December 2012.
I recently had the opportunity to catch up with the
Angelman communities very own trusted
Neurologists Dr. Ron Thibert!
He is the Co-Director of the Angelman Syndrome Clinic
at MassGeneral Hospital for Children in Boston. His
specialties include Neurology and Epilepsy Service.
Many families in our community travel from many other
states just to see him. He really understand how to
provide the best treatment for our kids! Angelman
Syndrome is so rare and when it comes to their brain
and seizures, our kids need the best! They need
someone who has experience to draw from when
deciding the best treatments and medications.
Posted here is a YouTube video of Dr. Thibert in an
interview talking about seizures in individuals with
Angelman Syndrome and effective Nutritional therapies
like Low Glycemic Index treatment (LGIT) and the
Ketogenic diet. Dr. Thibert has been a long time
supporter of dietary therapies in controlling seizures. He
has seen the proof in EEG reports for many of his
patients. In fact, in one of my earlier posts entitle Stop
Seizures with 3 Nutritional Therapies I shared with you
the story of young Jace who has not had a seizure but
shares in the typical AS abnormal EEG, showed
improvement after beginning the GFCF diet. His mom
told me he is now considered to have a "Normal"
EEG! That's Fantastic!
Dr. Thibert and his team including Dr. Elizabeth Thiele
(both are members of the Scientific Advisory Commity
for the Angelman Syndrome Foundation) and Heidi
Pfeifer RD, LD Nutritionist were able to launch a clinical
study to determine the efficacy of the Low Glycemic
Index Treatment in reducing seizures in individuals with
Angelman Syndrome. In July 2012 the results were in
and published in Epilepsia and on the Angelman
Syndrome newsletter .

"The results were better than we had expected" said Dr.
Thibert. 80% reduction in seizures and 90% reduction
after 1 year and ALL experienced no significant adverse
effects! "5 of the 6 individuals remained on the diet" said
Thibert.
WWW.ANGELMANTODAY.COM

I asked Dr. Thibert who would be the best
candidate for this dietary therapy?
He said "Anyone with 1 failed antiepileptic
medication".
How does one get their child on the program?
"Patients may come and see me for an initial visit,
we can run the necessary tests to monitor medication
and a few other things, and they can consult with our
dietician Heidi Pfeifer or transfer to a local dietitian
closer to them. Food Allergies will be tested. Then see
me on a yearly basis. Labs should be monitored every
3 months, which include Electrolytes, Cholesterol,
Liver panel, Carnitine, and Vitamin D".

My son is on the Gluten, Free Dairy Free diet, how
does that compare to LGIT?
"They are actually quite similar, when you take out
the gluten your are removing a large portion of the
carbs like pasta and bread which will