Nick Hanson (@nickhanson) published a blog post November 26th, 2013
Mayo Clinic Experts Available to Discuss New Epilepsy Therapy
ROCHESTER, Minn. People withepilepsymay have a new high-tech way to manage hard-to-controlseizures. A new implantable medical device that delivers responsive neurostimulation has been approved by theU.S. Food and Drug Administration. The technology is designed to detect abnormal activity in the brain and respond and deliver subtle levels of electrical stimulation to normalize brain activity before an individual experiences seizures. The treatment is available at all Mayo Clinic sites.
MULTIMEDIA ALERT: For audio and video ofDr. Joseph Sirventalking about the device, visit theMayo Clinic News Network.
Mayo Clinic inArizona,FloridaandMinnesotawere all involved in the clinical trials for the device (and have collectively enrolled the highest number of patients into the trials).
The device is indicated for use as an adjunctive therapy in reducing the frequency and severity of seizures in people 18 years of age or older with partial onset seizures who have undergone diagnostic testing that localized no more than two epileptogenic foci, are refractory to two or more antiepileptic medications, and currently have frequent and disabling seizures (motor partial seizures, complex partial seizures and/or secondarily generalized seizures).
According to NeuroPace, Inc., makers of this newNeuroPace RNS System, safety and effectiveness have been demonstrated in patients who average three or more disabling seizures per month over the three most recent months (with no month with fewer than two seizures). However, it has not been evaluated in patients with less frequent seizures. It is estimated that about 400,000 people in the U.S. meet these criteria and may benefit from treatment with the RNS System.
To interview a Mayo Clinic expert about the medical device e-mailnewsbureau@mayo.eduor call 507-284-5005.
Disclosure statement
Mayo Clinic receives research support from NeuroPace andDr. Richard Zimmermanreceives consulting fees as a member of their Medical advisory board.
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Mayo Clinic Experts Available to Discuss New Epilepsy Therapy