Multi-center study located at BC Children’s and Alberta Children’s Hospitals, investigating the role of the gut microbiome in the efficacy of the ketogenic diet as a treatment for refractory epilepsy.

Clinicians caring for children with drug resistant epilepsy in the setting of large hemispheric or multilobar lesions are often faced with a difficult surgical decision. Hemispherectomy incurs significant deficits, but has a better chance of seizure freedom. In contrast, smaller lobar/multilobar resections may limit deficits but if unsuccessful lead to multiple surgeries and may prolong time to seizure freedom. This decision becomes especially difficult in patients with minor or no existing deficits. The present study explores the longitudinal seizure outcomes and developmental trajectories of patients for whom both surgical options were considered.