For the first time, a tiny device implanted in the brain of epilepsy sufferers helps predict the onset of seizures, report scientists.
The potentially life-saving device works with electrodes that monitor electrical activity on the brain surface, they wrote in The Lancet Neurology.
Epilepsy
Fits or convulsions or Epilepsy is characterized by recurrent, involuntary seizures and is described as a chronic neurological disorder
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The electrodes were connected to a second device implanted under the skin of the chest, which transmitted the data wirelessly to a hand-held device that calculated the probability of a seizure.
The device lights up in red for a high risk, white for moderate, or blue for low seizure probability.
"Knowing when a seizure might happen could dramatically improve the quality of life and independence of people with epilepsy and potentially allow them to avoid dangerous situations such as driving or swimming," lead author Mark Cook from Australia's University of Melbourne said in a statement.
![Convulsions]( "Convulsions")
Seizure or a convulsion is a result of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. If there are two or more unprovoked seizures at an interval of at least 24 hours, it is referred to as epilepsy.
It could also give epilepsy sufferers the freedom to take seizure-stopping drugs before the onset of an attack, rather than on a continuous basis.
Epilepsy is a chronic disorder characterised by recurrent seizures -- anything from a brief lapse of attention or muscle jerks to severe convulsions.
The seizures are caused by excessive electrical discharges in a group of brain cells.
The biggest risk is from falls and injuries sustained when patients lose consciousness.
According to the World Health Organisation, about 50 million people around the world, some 80 percent of them in developing regions, suffer from the disease.
The researchers said about 30 to 40 percent of patients are unable to keep their seizures under control with existing treatments. The new technology may be especially useful for them.
The team tested the implants on 15 patients and recorded relatively few adverse effects, which included infection and device migration.
The system correctly predicted seizures with a "high warning" sensitivity level greater than 65 percent in 11 of the patients, said a statement.
There was a high variability between seizure warning times, and the team said more work was needed.
"Our small proof-of-concept study shows that seizure prediction is possible and could lead to new therapeutic strategies and more independence for individuals with epilepsy."
Commenting on the study, epilepsy experts Christian Elger and Florian Mormann of the University of Bonn Medical Centre described the outcome as a "major milestone".
But they cautioned it was too early to determine whether the device performed well enough to find medical application.
"This will depend on how well patients tolerate false alarms or missed seizures, and will ultimately need to be decided on an individual basis," they wrote.
"Nevertheless, the presented results suggest that at least some patients would view the warning device as beneficial."
Source: AFP
"Knowing when a seizure might happen could dramatically improve the quality of life and independence of people with epilepsy and potentially allow them to avoid dangerous situations such as driving or swimming," lead author Mark Cook from Australia's University of Melbourne said in a statement.
Convulsions
Seizure or a convulsion is a result of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. If there are two or more unprovoked seizures at an interval of at least 24 hours, it is referred to as epilepsy.
Advertisement
It could also give epilepsy sufferers the freedom to take seizure-stopping drugs before the onset of an attack, rather than on a continuous basis.
Epilepsy is a chronic disorder characterised by recurrent seizures -- anything from a brief lapse of attention or muscle jerks to severe convulsions.
The seizures are caused by excessive electrical discharges in a group of brain cells.
The biggest risk is from falls and injuries sustained when patients lose consciousness.
According to the World Health Organisation, about 50 million people around the world, some 80 percent of them in developing regions, suffer from the disease.
The researchers said about 30 to 40 percent of patients are unable to keep their seizures under control with existing treatments. The new technology may be especially useful for them.
The team tested the implants on 15 patients and recorded relatively few adverse effects, which included infection and device migration.
The system correctly predicted seizures with a "high warning" sensitivity level greater than 65 percent in 11 of the patients, said a statement.
There was a high variability between seizure warning times, and the team said more work was needed.
"Our small proof-of-concept study shows that seizure prediction is possible and could lead to new therapeutic strategies and more independence for individuals with epilepsy."
Commenting on the study, epilepsy experts Christian Elger and Florian Mormann of the University of Bonn Medical Centre described the outcome as a "major milestone".
But they cautioned it was too early to determine whether the device performed well enough to find medical application.
"This will depend on how well patients tolerate false alarms or missed seizures, and will ultimately need to be decided on an individual basis," they wrote.
"Nevertheless, the presented results suggest that at least some patients would view the warning device as beneficial."
Source: AFP
Quiz on Fits
Fits or Seizures could happen due to a number of reasons. Not all fits qualify to being labeled as epilepsy. Fits manifest in various forms. Test your knowledge on fits by taking this quiz.
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 Prolonged Seizures in Children Results in Developmental DelaysUK researchers determined that developmental delays are present in children within six weeks following convulsive status epilepticus (CSE)—a seizure lasting longer than thirty minutes. | Advertisement
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