Serendipity Can Rule the Day: Remarkable Efficacy of a Mushroom Extract Powder in Childhood Treatment-Resistant Epilepsy

Olivia Kim-McManus; Sarah Boylan; Mark Nespeca

doi:10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2025.01.017

Serendipity Can Rule the Day: Remarkable Efficacy of a Mushroom Extract Powder in Childhood Treatment-Resistant Epilepsy

Pediatr Neurol. 2025 Apr:165:56-59. doi: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2025.01.017. Epub 2025 Jan 24.

Authors

Olivia Kim-McManus¹, Sarah Boylan², Mark Nespeca³

Affiliations

¹ University of California San Diego, Departments of Neurosciences and Pediatrics, Rady Childrens Hospital, San Diego, California.
² Lily's Lighthouse -a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization, San Clemente, California.
³ University of California San Diego, Departments of Neurosciences and Pediatrics, Rady Childrens Hospital, San Diego, California. Electronic address: mnespeca@rchsd.org.

PMID: 39951934
DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2025.01.017

Abstract

Introduction: The goal of this report is to highlight an unanticipated effect of medicinal mushroom supplement in reducing seizures in a child.

Methods: A detailed case report and literature review.

Results: Medicinal mushroom extract supplementation resulted in a sustained 98% reduction in seizure frequency three years after initiation.

Discussion: This case report provides details of the child's case and reviews the limited literature related to medicinal mushroom therapy for epilepsy with the intent to stimulate interest in more detailed study of medicinal mushroom compounds for the treatment of treatment-resistant epilepsy.

Keywords: Alternative and complementary therapies; DEE; Developmental epileptic encephalopathy; Medicinal mushroom therapy; Treatment-resistant childhood epilepsy.

Publication types

Case Reports
Review

MeSH terms

Agaricales*
Anticonvulsants* / therapeutic use
Child
Drug Resistant Epilepsy* / diet therapy
Drug Resistant Epilepsy* / drug therapy
Female
Humans
Male

Substances

Anticonvulsants