Researchers tested whether adding special bacteria (probiotics) to a seizure medication could help control seizures better in rats with brain injuries. They found that rats receiving both the medication and a specific probiotic mixture had better seizure control than those on medication alone. The probiotics also helped with other problems that come with brain injuries, like difficulty moving and pain sensitivity. While these results are promising, this research was done in rats, so scientists need to test whether the same benefits work in people before making any recommendations.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether adding probiotics (good bacteria) to an anti-seizure medication could help control seizures better in animals with traumatic brain injuries
- Who participated: Adult male rats divided into 6 groups, given different combinations of medication, probiotics, and prebiotics over 28 days
- Key finding: Rats that received the seizure medication combined with a specific probiotic mixture (VSL#3) had significantly better seizure control compared to rats receiving medication alone
- What it means for you: This suggests that probiotics might someday help seizure medications work more effectively, but this research was done in animals, not humans. Much more testing is needed before doctors could recommend this approach to patients
The Research Details
Scientists used adult male rats to model what happens after a traumatic brain injury that leads to seizures. They divided the rats into six groups and gave each group different treatments for 28 days: some received just the seizure medication (lacosamide), others received the medication plus probiotics, some got medication plus prebiotics (food for good bacteria), and one group got all three. To trigger seizures similar to what happens after brain injury, researchers gave the rats a chemical substance in small doses over several weeks. They then measured how many seizures occurred and how severe they were using a standard rating scale. Beyond seizures, the researchers also tested how well the rats could move, learn, remember, handle pain, and manage anxiety using various behavioral tests.
This research approach matters because it tests whether combining a medication with probiotics could be more effective than medication alone. Understanding how gut bacteria might influence seizure control could lead to new treatment strategies. The researchers also looked at related problems like memory and anxiety, which often occur alongside seizures, making this a more complete picture of how the treatment affects overall brain health.
This study was conducted in a controlled laboratory setting with standardized procedures, which is good for reliability. However, because it was done in rats rather than humans, the results may not directly apply to people. The study used established behavioral tests and seizure rating scales that are recognized in the scientific community. The researchers tested multiple outcomes beyond just seizure control, which strengthens the findings. The main limitation is that animal studies don’t always translate to human medicine, so human trials would be necessary to confirm these benefits.
What the Results Show
The main finding was that rats receiving the seizure medication combined with the probiotic mixture VSL#3 showed better seizure control than rats receiving medication alone. This suggests the probiotics enhanced how well the medication worked. The probiotic mixture contains seven different species of beneficial bacteria, which may work together to improve the medication’s effectiveness. Interestingly, the prebiotic (food for bacteria) alone didn’t work as well as the probiotic bacteria themselves, and combining both the prebiotic and probiotic together was most effective. This tells us that the living bacteria themselves, not just feeding them, appears to be important for the benefit.
Beyond seizure control, researchers found that probiotics combined with medication improved how much the rats moved around and their overall activity levels. The probiotics also helped prevent a side effect of the medication that normally reduced movement ability. When probiotics and prebiotics were given together with the medication, rats showed increased pain tolerance, meaning they could handle painful stimuli better. These findings suggest that probiotics might help with multiple problems that occur after brain injuries, not just seizures alone.
Previous research has suggested that gut bacteria influence brain function and may affect seizure disorders, but this is one of the first studies to specifically test whether probiotics can enhance a seizure medication’s effectiveness. The findings align with growing evidence that the gut-brain connection is important for neurological health. However, most previous studies looked at probiotics alone rather than combining them with medications, making this a relatively novel approach.
The most important limitation is that this research was conducted in rats, not humans. Rat brains and bodies work differently from human brains and bodies, so these results may not directly apply to people with seizures. The study used a specific probiotic mixture (VSL#3) and a specific medication (lacosamide), so results might differ with other probiotics or medications. The study didn’t examine how long the benefits last after treatment stops, or whether the same results would occur with different doses. Additionally, the study was relatively short (28 days), so we don’t know about long-term effects. Finally, the researchers didn’t measure changes in the rats’ gut bacteria directly, so we can’t be certain exactly how the probiotics were helping.
The Bottom Line
Based on this animal research, we cannot yet recommend that people with seizures add probiotics to their medications. This is preliminary research that shows promise but requires human testing first. If you or a loved one has seizures, continue taking prescribed medications as directed by your doctor. Do not add probiotics or change your treatment without discussing it with your healthcare provider. Future human studies may determine whether this approach is safe and effective for people.
This research is most relevant to people with post-traumatic seizures and researchers studying seizure disorders. It may eventually interest people with other types of epilepsy, but that hasn’t been tested yet. Healthcare providers treating seizure disorders should be aware of this emerging research direction. People considering probiotics should know this doesn’t yet prove they help with seizures. Anyone with a brain injury or seizure disorder should discuss any supplement use with their doctor before starting.
In this animal study, benefits appeared over the 28-day treatment period. However, we cannot predict how quickly benefits might appear in humans, or if they would appear at all. Human studies would need to be conducted to determine realistic timelines. It typically takes 5-10 years of research before promising animal studies lead to new human treatments.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Once human research validates this approach, users could track daily seizure frequency and severity alongside probiotic supplement use, noting any changes in seizure patterns, medication side effects, and overall mobility or mood
- If future research supports this, users could set reminders to take their probiotic supplement at the same time as their seizure medication each day, creating a consistent routine that’s easy to track
- Users could maintain a weekly log noting seizure count, medication adherence, probiotic use, and any changes in related symptoms like memory, anxiety, or pain sensitivity, sharing this data with their healthcare provider during regular appointments
This research was conducted in animals and has not been tested in humans. Do not use this information to change your seizure treatment or add supplements without consulting your doctor. Seizure medications should only be taken as prescribed by a healthcare provider. While probiotics are generally considered safe, they can interact with some medications and may not be appropriate for everyone. Anyone with a seizure disorder should discuss any new supplements or treatment changes with their neurologist or healthcare provider before starting. This summary is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice.