About Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a major cause of neurological disability affecting over 60 Million people worldwide. It is one of the most common neurological disorders with an estimated annual cost of $12.5 Billion worldwide. Unlike stroke & Alzheimer’s disease, which primarily affect the elderly, many patients with epilepsy are children or young adults who can suffer for decades from this debilitating disease.
Approximately 1/3 of patients with epilepsy continue to have seizures despite use of anti-seizure medication. Unfortunately, there are very few options for these patients. For patients whose seizures begin in a small, specific area of the brain, surgical removal of the troublesome area is sometimes a possibility, however, locating the region is challenging and the surgery is irreversible. Furthermore, surgery is not possible when the suspect area involves critical brain function associated with speech, movement, or memory. Even if seizure freedom is initially achieved, seizures can recur, and subsequent surgeries may bear increased risk due to scarring from previous procedures.
These factors have generated interest in less invasive therapies. Of particular interest are brain stimulation therapies (wherein small electrical currents are applied to specific areas of the brain) which do not require removal of brain tissue, and entail reduced surgical risks.
More information about epilepsy can be found at the Epilepsy Foundation of America website: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn
Epilepsy is a major cause of neurological disability affecting over 60 Million people worldwide. It is one of the most common neurological disorders with an estimated annual cost of $12.5 Billion worldwide. Unlike stroke & Alzheimer’s disease, which primarily affect the elderly, many patients with epilepsy are children or young adults who can suffer for decades from this debilitating disease.
Approximately 1/3 of patients with epilepsy continue to have seizures despite use of anti-seizure medication. Unfortunately, there are very few options for these patients. For patients whose seizures begin in a small, specific area of the brain, surgical removal of the troublesome area is sometimes a possibility, however, locating the region is challenging and the surgery is irreversible. Furthermore, surgery is not possible when the suspect area involves critical brain function associated with speech, movement, or memory. Even if seizure freedom is initially achieved, seizures can recur, and subsequent surgeries may bear increased risk due to scarring from previous procedures.
These factors have generated interest in less invasive therapies. Of particular interest are brain stimulation therapies (wherein small electrical currents are applied to specific areas of the brain) which do not require removal of brain tissue, and entail reduced surgical risks.
More information about epilepsy can be found at the Epilepsy Foundation of America website: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn