This treatment is usually reserved for people whose seizures haven’t responded to other medications or therapies.
DBS is a relatively new tool for epilepsy, and further studies may reveal additional uses.
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What Is Deep Brain Stimulation?
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Its goal is to interrupt the brain’s abnormal electrical activity or signals that can lead to seizure activity.
This impulse can work to fight seizure activity in two ways.
One way is by interrupting the abnormal electrical activity that triggers a seizure.
The location of the deep brain stimulation equipment can vary.
Who Can Get DBS?
About 6% said seizures had stopped entirely after DBS treatment.
How Common Are DBS Implants?
DBS treatment aims to reduce symptoms of epilepsy, but other well-documented effects can impact how you feel.
What to Expect
Deep brain stimulation devices are implanted under local orgeneral anesthesia.
General anesthesia is usually used for children.
Next, your surgeon will prepare you for the procedure.
They will shave and numb a section of your scalp and steady your head with a gear and screws.
Numbing medicine will be applied where the screws come into contact with your skin.
Stage 1
Small holes are drilled into the skull where the electrodes will be placed.
Your responses in this stage will help your surgeon confirm the appropriate location of the electrodes.
Stage 2
In this stage, you will likely be placed under general anesthesia.
A small incision is made below your collarbone or in your chest or belly.
The gear that will generate impulsesthe neurostimulatoris implanted through this incision.
Your stimulation unit will not be activated yet.
After your discharge, you will visit the healthcare provider managing your DBS therapy.
The gadget will be turned on and adjusted to achieve the desired number and frequency of impulses.
This procedure is called programming and does not require additional surgery.
Generally, people who begin treatment report an improvement in their symptoms with the rig.
If needed, the procedure can be reversed.
The machine to deliver these impulses can be programmed remotely, but implantation requires extensive invasive surgery.
Not everyone with epilepsy is a candidate for DBS.
Speak with your healthcare provider to determine whether DBS may be a promising treatment option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Deep brain stimulation was only approved as a treatment for epilepsy in 2018.
Most health insurance plans cover FDA-approved uses of deep brain stimulation.
Check with your insurance company before undergoing surgery to confirm your specific coverage.
Few peopleonly about 6%have their seizures stop completely after DBS.
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