Effects of sodium lactate infusion in two teenagers with Glucose Transporter 1 Deficiency Syndrome.

Glucose is an important fuel for the brain. In Glucose Transporter 1 Deficiency Syndrome (GLUT1DS) the transport of glucose across the blood-brainbarrier is limited. Most individuals with GLUT1DS present with developmental problems, epilepsy, and (paroxysmal) movement disorders, and respond favorably to the ketogenic diet. Similar to ketones, lactate is an alternative energy source for the brain. The aim of this study is to investigate whether intravenous infusion of sodium lactate in children with GLUT1DS has beneficial effects on their epilepsy. We performed a proof of principle study with two subjects with GLUT1DS who were not on a ketogenic diet and suffered from abscense epilepsy. After overnight fasting, sodium lactate (600 mmol/l) was infused during 120 minutes, under video-EEG recording and monitoring of or serum lactate, glucose, electrolytes and pH. Furthermore, the EEGs were compared with pre-/postprandial EEGs of both subjects, obtained shortly before the study. Fasting EEGs of both subjects showed frequent bilateral, frontocentral poly-spike-and-wave complexes. In one subject no more epileptic discharges were seen postprandially and after the start of lactate infusion. The EEG of the other subject did not change, neither postprandially nor after lactate infusion. Serum pH, lactate and sodium changed temporary during the study. This study suggests that sodium lactate infusion is possible in individuals with GLUT1DS, and may have potential therapeutic effects. Cellular abnormalities, beyond neuronal energy failure, may contribute to the underlying disease mechanisms of GLUT1DS, explaining explain why not all individuals respond to the supplementation of alternative energy sources.