DBS and Neurotechnology: Hope for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy
A Mayo Clinic study reveals that DBS and neurotechnology improve memory, sleep, and reduce seizures in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy.
A study published in the academic journal Brain Communications presents
a significant advancement in the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy. Researchers at Mayo Clinic have developed an innovative deep brain stimulation (DBS) platform that not only reduces seizures but also improves memory and sleep, two common issues in patients with epilepsy.Epilepsy, a convulsive disorder affecting approximately 50 million people worldwide, negatively impacts the memory, emotions, and sleep of those who suffer from it. In many cases, the disease is resistant to medication, leaving patients with few treatment options. In this context, Mayo Clinic researchers discovered that low-frequency deep brain stimulation (DBS) not only alleviates seizures but also has positive effects on memory and sleep.
Prevalence in Colombia
In Colombia, according to the National Academy of Medicine, epilepsy has a high prevalence, affecting 20 out of every 1,000 inhabitants. It is estimated that approximately 300,000 people live with this condition, and the majority of those diagnosed (50%) are between the ages of 19 and 59.
Real-Time Monitoring
Dr. Gregory Worrell, a neurologist at Mayo Clinic and the lead co-author of the study, explains:
“Thanks to an experimental implanted device, we were able to continuously monitor brain activity, including seizures and sleep, using artificial intelligence. A cloud-based platform simultaneously evaluated the participants’ behavior, memory, and mood in their homes. This combination of real-time data allows for precise adjustments to the stimulation parameters, maximizing benefits and minimizing side effects.”
Dr. Vaclav Kremen, a researcher at Mayo Clinic and also a co-author of the study, adds:
“By having an implanted device that constantly monitors brain activity, we were able to detect seizures with greater accuracy than the manual records kept by patients. This allows us to optimize deep brain stimulation in real time and significantly improve treatment.”
Results and Future Potential
The researchers monitored five patients with temporal lobe epilepsy throughout their DBS treatment. The system enabled them to track brain activity and symptoms remotely, providing doctors with detailed, real-time data that helped adjust treatments.
This approach could pave the way for more effective treatments for drug-resistant epilepsy and extend to other neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Dr. Jamie Van Gompel, a neurosurgeon at Mayo Clinic and co-author of the study, states:
“Our study demonstrates the potential of emerging neurotechnologies in the treatment of human diseases.”
Finally, Dr. Worrell concludes:
“By combining neuroscience, engineering, and artificial intelligence, our work is opening doors to more personalized and effective treatments for epilepsy and other brain disorders.”
The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health – National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and the CLARA project, which received funding from the Horizon Europe research and innovation program of the European Union.
Additionally, the implanted devices were donated by Medtronic as part of the National Institutes of Health’s Public-Private Partnership for the Brain Initiative.
The full study, including a list of authors, disclosures, and funding sources, is available for review.
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