Deep brain stimulation is a promising therapy for epilepsy, according to US researchers.
In a clinical trial at the Epilepsy Centre at Stanford University, 110 people had electrodes implanted in their brains and their seizures were monitored.
Of these patients 41 per cent showed a reduction in seizures after 13 months and 56 per cent after two years.
The patients all suffered from regular epileptic seizures and had failed to respond to drug treatment.
Deep brain stimulation is a surgical treatment that involves implanting a medical device called a brain pacemaker, which sends electrical impulses to specific parts of the brain. According to the World Health Organisation epilepsy affects more than 50 million people worldwide. It is a common neurological condition characterised by recurrent seizures.
This article first appeared in issue 11 of benhealth, the magazine for Benenden Healthcare members.
