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Analysis of Gene Expression Changes in the Rat Hippocampus After Deep Brain Stimulation of the Anterior Thalamic Nucleus
Published on: March 8, 2015
Deep brain stimulation in patients with refractory temporal lobe epilepsy
Paul Boon1, Kristl Vonck, Veerle De Herdt
1Reference Center for Refractory Epilepsy, Laboratory for Clinical and Experimental Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium. Paul.Boon@UGent.be
Epilepsia
|August 30, 2007
Summary
This pilot study suggests deep brain stimulation (DBS) may be effective for treating medial temporal lobe (MTL) epilepsy. Long-term DBS showed seizure reduction in most patients, warranting further research.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Epileptology
Background:
- Medial temporal lobe (MTL) epilepsy is often refractory to anti-epileptic drugs.
- Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an emerging neuromodulation technique for epilepsy treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of long-term DBS in MTL structures for patients with refractory MTL epilepsy.
Main Methods:
- Twelve patients with refractory MTL epilepsy underwent invasive video-EEG monitoring for ictal-onset localization.
- Ten patients received long-term DBS targeting the ictal-onset zone; two underwent selective amygdalohippocampectomy.
- Seizure frequency and side effects were monitored throughout the study.
Main Results:
- After a mean follow-up of 31 months, 60% of patients receiving DBS (6/10) experienced at least a 50% reduction in seizure frequency.
- One patient was seizure-free, and one had >90% seizure reduction.
- No significant side effects were reported; one patient had asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhages.
Conclusions:
- Long-term DBS in MTL structures shows potential efficacy for refractory MTL epilepsy.
- Further validation through multicenter randomized controlled trials is recommended.
