Role of octanoic and decanoic acids in the control of seizures.

Octanoic and decanoic acid, the major constituents of the Medium Chain Triglyceride (MCT) Emulsion diet, have been detected in appreciable quantities in the peripheral blood of children with intractable seizures treated with the MCT diet. Serum concentrations of these acids as well as beta hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate rose as the diet was introduced and on full diet showed pronounced diurnal variation and low concentrations in the morning. No correlation between octanoic and decanoic acid concentrations and control of seizures was established, but further studies with octanoic and decanoic acid using animal models are necessary to assess the role of these acids and of control of seizures.