Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026
08:23
A Multimodal Imaging- and Stimulation-based Method of Evaluating Connectivity-related Brain Excitability in Patients with Epilepsy
Published on: November 13, 2016
Brain-responsive neurostimulation in patients with medically intractable mesial temporal lobe epilepsy
Eric B Geller1, Tara L Skarpaas2, Robert E Gross3
1Saint Barnabas Health, Livingston, New Jersey, U.S.A.
Epilepsia
|April 12, 2017
Summary
Responsive brain stimulation significantly reduced seizures in adults with medically intractable mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE). This safe and effective treatment offers hope for patients ineligible for surgery or who have not benefited from prior resections.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Epilepsy Research
Background:
- Medically intractable epilepsy, particularly mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE), presents significant challenges for patient management.
- Existing treatments, including resective surgery, may not be suitable or effective for all patients with MTLE.
- Novel therapeutic strategies are needed to improve seizure control and quality of life in this patient population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of brain-responsive stimulation in reducing seizure frequency in adults with medically intractable MTLE.
- To assess the safety profile of brain-responsive neurostimulation in patients with MTLE.
- To determine if seizure reduction varies based on epilepsy characteristics or lead placement.
Main Methods:
- A prospective clinical trial involving 111 subjects with MTLE implanted with a brain-responsive neurostimulator (RNS System).
- Seizure reduction was calculated by comparing postimplantation seizure frequency (years 2-6) to a preimplantation baseline.
- Adverse events were systematically recorded to assess the safety of the device and procedure.
Main Results:
- A median seizure reduction of 70% was observed over years 2-6 postimplantation.
- Twenty-nine percent of subjects achieved at least 6 months seizure-free, and 15% achieved at least 1 year seizure-free.
- The most common serious device-related adverse event was soft tissue infection, with a low incidence rate comparable to other neurostimulation devices.
Conclusions:
- Brain-responsive stimulation is a safe and effective treatment for medically intractable epilepsy originating in the mesial temporal lobe.
- The therapy demonstrates significant seizure reduction in patients with MTLE, regardless of unilateral or bilateral onset, prior surgery, or lead location.
- This neurostimulation approach offers a valuable alternative for patients unsuitable for or unresponsive to temporal lobectomy.
