Implanted device predicts epilepsy seizures

The small proof-of-concept study is published today in The Lancet Neurology.

‘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, or to take drugs to stop seizures before they start, rather than continuously as at present,’ said lead author Mark Cook from the University of Melbourne in Australia.

The technology, developed by Seattle-based NeuroVista, is designed to detect abnormal electrical activity in the brain that precedes a seizure using electrodes implanted between the skull and brain surface which constantly monitor electrical activity (electroencephalography or EEG) data.

The electrodes are connected to a second device implanted under the skin of the chest which transmits this information wirelessly to a hand-held device that calculates the probability of a seizure.

Three coloured lights warn patients of the high (red), moderate (white), or low (blue) risk of an impending seizure.