An NHS anaesthetist believes an artificial intelligence discovery that helped save his mother's life from life-threatening seizures could unlock treatment pathways for thousands of other Parkinson's patients experiencing similar complications.
Ed Patrick, working as an anaesthetist in Oxfordshire, was summoned to a hospital in Nottinghamshire in May after his mother Ann began suffering continuous, uncontrollable seizures linked to her Parkinson's Disease medication. Medical staff had exhausted standard anti-seizure treatments without success, and her condition was deteriorating rapidly. Patrick deployed Google's Gemini AI tool to analyse recent medical literature and identified a rare but documented connection: vitamin B6 deficiency triggered by her long-term carbidopa-levodopa dopamine therapy. When hospital staff administered intravenous vitamin B6, her seizures stopped within minutes.
The case has now prompted formal recognition from regulatory authorities and sparked calls for wider clinical investigation. In March 2026, the US Food and Drug Administration required manufacturers to add warnings to carbidopa-levodopa product labels about the risk of vitamin B6 deficiency and associated seizures, following identification of 14 documented cases.
How did the discovery unfold?
Patrick received an urgent call from hospital staff on a May morning informing him that his mother was close to death after months of deterioration.
She was taken to hospital with non-stop fits and convulsions,he explained.
I got a phone call from the hospital's medical registrar who told me they'd tried all the anti-seizure medications and they weren't working. 'Sorry, she's dying', the registrar told me. 'Do I have time to make it?', I said. 'Yes, but you've got to leave now' was her reply.
Upon arrival at the hospital, Patrick found his mother unconscious, experiencing continuous seizures and entering kidney failure. Drawing on his medical background and access to AI tools, he systematically reviewed recent journal articles to identify potential causes.
I told him what I'd discovered - that the seizures were almost certainly a rare side effect of a vitamin B6 deficiency, possibly caused by her long-term carbidopa-levodopa dopamine use, which was being used to treat her Parkinson's,Patrick said, referring to his conversation with the neurology consultant. Carbidopa-levodopa is a standard combination medication that increases dopamine levels in Parkinson's patients.
The medical team agreed to administer intravenous vitamin B6. The response was dramatic and immediate.
She hasn't had a seizure since,Patrick reported.
The next day the family and medics were all ecstatic. The neurologist was high-fiving me.
Dr Bruno Gran, the consultant neurologist at Nottingham University Hospitals involved in Ann's care, confirmed the clinical reasoning and outcome.
As an anaesthetist, Ed has a strong understanding of clinical pharmacology and his reasoning was sound. What we did not anticipate was the speed and magnitude of the response. Within minutes of administering vitamin B6, Ann's seizure activity stopped.He added:
We are now working to raise awareness of this potential issue, beginning with changes to practice within our own team. Although Parkinson's affects millions of people worldwide, only 14 similar cases have ever been reported. But if the insights gained from this case can help clinicians identify and prevent similar situations in the future, that would be a significant and positive outcome.
What has happened to Ann since recovery?
Ann has made a complete recovery from the seizures, and her broader Parkinson's symptoms have improved substantially.
It's like we've got mum back,Patrick said.
It feels like we found a silver bullet. She's sharp as a tack. She's been given a really good quality of life from a solution we never even knew was there. Cognitively, it's like she's gone back in time five to 10 years.
Shortly after her recovery, Ann was well enough to spend time with her newest granddaughter.
She's absolutely glorious,Ann said of the baby.
Beautiful. And we get to see her quite a lot. I'm very very grateful to Edward and the rest of the family. It seems such a small thing - that a 'bit of a vitamin' could make a difference between life and death.
What does the regulatory evidence show?
Patrick's case aligns with emerging regulatory findings about carbidopa-levodopa and B6 deficiency. The FDA identified 14 cases of seizures linked to B6 deficiency in people taking carbidopa-levodopa, all involving levodopa doses above 1,000 mg daily. Significantly, seizures resolved in all nine patients reported to have received B6 supplementation, while two patients died.
Medical literature supports this connection. A 2022 published case report documented refractory seizures in a person with Parkinson's disease taking carbidopa-levodopa and recommended considering B6 screening, particularly with high or increasing doses or poor nutrition.
Despite these findings, existing clinical evidence on the link between B6 deficiency in Parkinson's patients and seizure risk remains limited. Experts told the BBC that the connection is not widely known among NHS staff across the UK.
What are the implications for other Parkinson's patients?
Patrick believes B6 vitamin supplementation could benefit other Parkinson's patients both in acute emergency situations and in cases of long-term cognitive decline.
I think this has potentially wide-reaching ramifications for others. I know that mum's medical team has presented her case to colleagues and that's led to changes in practice in the region. They're looking at where B6 supplementation might be appropriate.
Dr Graham Johnson, a consultant in emergency medicine who co-leads the Research in Emergency Medicine in Derby group and has been discussing the case with Patrick, emphasised the research potential.
Sometimes the best research ideas come from patients' stories, and experts in Parkinson's may now be able to use this case to build a wider evidence base through studies and clinical trials.
Parkinson's UK, the leading charity supporting people with the condition, has welcomed the prospect of formal investigation. Caroline Rassell, the chief executive, stated:
We support the move towards more research trials into vitamin B6 deficiency and Parkinson's. It's needed to help us understand the connections. The findings and recommendations could transform care for people with Parkinson's.
Approximately 166,000 people in the UK live with Parkinson's Disease, a progressive neurological disorder affecting the brain, nervous system, and muscle control.
What precautions should patients take?
Medical professionals have urged caution and emphasised the importance of professional guidance. Rassell warned:
This family's experience will definitely raise awareness of the link between vitamin B6 and Parkinson's medications. However, never make changes to medications or supplements before taking medical advice,and encouraged anyone with concerns to consult their medical team or contact the Parkinson's UK helpline.
Prof Tom Foltynie, a consultant neurologist specialising in Parkinson's at University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, highlighted specific risks.
Patients should bear in mind that excessively high doses of vitamin B6 can also cause problems, so anyone who is concerned about their B6 levels should request a blood test to check their levels before seeking B6 supplements.He added:
While there's fledgling awareness of this link between low B6 and potential risks of negative outcomes, is hasn't penetrated enough so that B6 is prescribed for more than a trivial amount of Parkinson's patients. Having a modest lowering of these vitamin levels probably doesn't have consequences for the vast majority of people. But hearing this story emphasises that this is potentially very important, and it will ring bells for a great number of people who work with Parkinson's patients, to more regularly check levels of B vitamins, and supplement if needed.
Key Facts
- Ed Patrick used AI to identify vitamin B6 deficiency as the cause of his mother Ann's life-threatening seizures linked to her Parkinson's medication
- Intravenous vitamin B6 stopped Ann's seizures within minutes and led to substantial improvement in her cognitive Parkinson's symptoms
- In March 2026, the US FDA required warning labels on carbidopa-levodopa products about vitamin B6 deficiency risk following 14 documented cases
- Medical professionals emphasise that patients should not alter medications or supplements without professional medical advice and should request blood tests to check B6 levels
- Approximately 166,000 people in the UK live with Parkinson's Disease
