Researchers at MCG Medical Center (First Hollywood, then Science!? That man is amazing!) are testing a new implantable device that is designed to stop seizures in patients whose fits – can you say fits? – are not otherwise well controlled by drugs. By pre-recording a patient’s seizures, they establish a pattern that can be used to detect future seizures. Then they – and this is where it gets good – create a “form-fitting defect in the skull for the device … and use tiny screws to hold it securely in place.” Yes!
If the device recognizes an oncoming seizure it sends an electrical stimulus to stop it – unnoticed by patients.
Because even a single seizure every few months still prevents patients from safely doing everyday things like driving and cocaine, doctors have as their goal the complete and total prevention of all seizures. We’ll find out how well they’ve done in two years, when the study is complete.
Read – Implantable device designed to detect, stop seizures under study at MCG [EurekAlert]
