Deep brain stimulation for anti-seizure treatment: current & future perspectives

Prof. Young Min Shon

October 14(Wed) - October 14(Wed), 2020

12PM

Room 86314 (Multi-purpose room), N center/ ZOOM (728-142-6028)

Neuro@noon Seminar

Date:  12PM, Wednesday, October 14th

Title: Development of Visual Functions in the Brain and in Artificial Networks (Korean seminar)

 

 

Abstract:

Neuromodulation-based treatments have become increasingly important in epilepsy treatment. Most patients with epilepsy treated with neuromodulation do not achieve complete seizure freedom, and, therefore, previous studies of neuromodulation studies including deep brain stimulation (DBS), vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), and responsive neurostimulation (RNS) therapy have focused instead on reduction of seizure frequency as a measure of treatment response. These invasive, electrical brain stimulation methods may exert a therapeutic control on seizure generators or correspond to ictal onset zone themselves. At this talk, the mechanisms of action, safety, and efficacy of DBS in epilepsy are reviewed, and the key advantages and disadvantages of each are discussed. Even though the DBS therapy in epilepsy field influences neuronal networks with widespread influences as revealed by physiological and imaging studies, we still do not elucidate the exact mechanisms of them.

Despite all these progresses in DBS & other neurostimulation therapies, the present technologies used are a long way behind what would be considered state of the art in the 21^st century; this is true for the way EEG signals are picked up, the miniaturization and processing power of the microprocessors used, storage capacities of devices, options for external readout of data and flexibility in terms of temporo-spatial stimulation patterns. If the unmet issues are resolved, the incessant pre-clinical & clinical investigations with DBS devices will induce an enormous change of therapeutic paradigm in epilepsy surgery.