Child Receives Brain Implant to Reduce Epileptic Seizures by 80%

11.07.2024 - 01:38

In a historic medical breakthrough in the United Kingdom, a pioneering procedure has successfully implanted a brain device in a child to manage epileptic seizures. According to The Guardian, 13-year-old Oran Knowlson has seen a remarkable 80% reduction in daytime seizures since the implantation. This unprecedented achievement marks the first instance globally where such technology has been used to significantly improve the quality of life for a young epilepsy patient. The development holds promise for advancing treatment options and enhancing outcomes for epilepsy sufferers worldwide.

Oran Knowlson, a young severe epilepsy patient, became the first person to receive a brain implant aimed at controlling his seizures.

This implantation took place at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) in London.

At the age of three, Oran developed Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, a treatment-resistant form of epilepsy, requiring round-the-clock care.

With this condition, Oran experienced seizures every day, sometimes suffering hundreds of seizures per day. As a result, he required constant care. Neurostimulation has changed this situation.

Oran's brain implant was manufactured by the British company Amber Therapeutics.

During the operation, Tisdall and his team implanted two electrodes deep into Oran's brain, reaching the thalamus, a highly connected center in the brain. This device was placed into a void in Oran's skull and secured to the surrounding skull with screws.

Following the surgery, Oran's device was activated to provide continuous mild electrical stimulation aimed at blocking pathways that trigger seizures in his brain.

Oran's mother, Justine, noted a significant reduction in his seizures' frequency and intensity, stating that he has become more talkative and active. This treatment is set to accept three more Lennox-Gastaut syndrome patients and plans to enroll 22 patients in a full trial.

Tisdall mentioned that they witness the life-threatening and life-limiting effects of uncontrollable epilepsy daily.

She also emphasized that deep brain stimulation brings them closer to stopping epileptic seizures in patients for whom effective treatment options are severely limited. According to The Guardian, Tisdall expressed excitement about establishing the evidence base to demonstrate deep brain stimulation's ability to treat pediatric epilepsy and hoped that this treatment would become a standard therapy in the coming years.