Epilepsy, Absence

This study will compare the effect of NPT 2042 and placebo in subjects with GGE on the frequency and duration of electroencephalographic absence seizures, separated by a 14-day washout period. The study will be a single-center, double-blind, crossover study with subjects receiving either NPT 2042 BID orally or matching placebo BID in each of two treatment periods. Two doses of NPT 2042 will be evaluated.

The ketogenic diet is a medical therapy for epilepsy that is used nearly predominantly for refractory epilepsy (after 2-3 drugs have been tried and failed). However, there is both published evidence for first-line use (infantile spasms, Glut1 deficiency syndrome) and also anecdotal experience (families choosing to change the child's (or the family' own) diet rather than use anticonvulsant medications). Childhood absence epilepsy (refractory) has been published as being responsive to ketogenic diet therapy by the investigators' group previously. This is a small, prospective, 3 month trial to assess if using a modified Atkins diet is a feasible and effective option for new-onset childhood absence epilepsy. The investigators will compare to a group of children in which the parents have declined and chose to start anticonvulsant medications.