World’s First Brain Implant for Epilepsy Control

July 3, 2024

Oran Knowlson, a teenager from the United Kingdom, has made medical history as the first person in the world to receive a brain implant designed to control epileptic seizures. A deep brain stimulation (DBS) implant, a new and innovative device, has made his life a lot better by cutting down on his everyday seizures by 80%.

Understanding Epilepsy and Its Challenges

People who have epilepsy often have seizures, which are rapid electrical bursts in the brain that can make people jerk their muscles, become temporarily confused, stare blankly, or even lose consciousness. About half of the time, no one knows for sure what causes epilepsy. However, things like head injuries, brain tumors, and some genetic conditions can make the disorder more likely to happen. Anti-seizure drugs are usually used as standard treatment, but about 30% of people do not improve with these drugs.

What is Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)?

Deep brain stimulation, or DBS, is a medical process in which an electrical stimulator is implanted into the brain to target certain areas. DBS is mostly used to treat movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease, but it has also been looked at as a way to treat seizures. In DBS, the gadget is usually put under the skin in the chest. Wires connect it to the brain, where electrical pulses change activities that aren’t working normally.

Innovation in Treatment: DBS Directly in the Brain

Surgeons did something very new when they put a DBS device right into Oran Knowlson’s head. The electrodes reach the thalamus, which is a key part of the brain for sending sensory and movement signals. This new technique of direct brain implantation is meant to make DBS work better at reducing seizures.

Procedure and Recovery

During the surgery, two electrodes were put deep into the brain and linked to a neurostimulator that was put in the skull. After surgery, the device was turned on as soon as Knowlson was feeling better, and his seizure control got better right away. Interestingly, the device can be charged electrically, which makes it easier for the patient to take care of.

Economic Considerations of DBS

Even though DBS has benefits, it is still an expensive operation. Dr. Manjari Tripathi from AIIMS, New Delhi, says that the neurostimulator device itself costs about 12 lakh rupees, and the total cost could reach 17 lakh rupees if the surgery is added in. On the other hand, traditional brain surgery might only cost between Rs 20,000 and Rs 30,000. This means that money is a big part of choosing a treatment.

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