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Responsive Neurostimulation of the Thalamus Improves Seizure Control in Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy: A Case
Vasileios Kokkinos1,2, Alexandra Urban3,4, Nathaniel D Sisterson5
1Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
Background And Importance:
At least 25% of patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy do not obtain adequate seizure control with medication. This report describes the first use of responsive neurostimulation (RNS), bilaterally targeting the centromedian/ventrolateral (CM/VL) region in a patient with drug-refractory Jeavons syndrome (eyelid myoclonia with absences).
Clinical Presentation:
A patient, diagnosed with eyelid myoclonia with absences (EMA) and refractory to medication, was offered RNS treatment in the CM/VL region of the thalamus. Stimulation was triggered by thalamic neural activity having morphological, spectral, and synchronous features that corresponded to 3- to 5-Hz spike-wave discharges recorded on prior scalp electroencephalography.
Conclusion:
RNS decreased daily absence seizures from a mean of 60 to ≤10 and maintained the patient's level of consciousness during the occurring episodes. This therapy should be evaluated further for its potential to treat patients with pharmaco-refractory generalized epilepsy.
