Targeted Deep Brain Stimulation Shows Results for Epilepsy: Study

04 Dec Targeted Deep Brain Stimulation Shows Results for Epilepsy: Study

A recent pilot human study on deep brain stimulation for epilepsy indicated the possibility of improving brain functions when DBS is merged with AI.

Life gets a little extra difficult for those who suffer tremors, seizures, and uncontrolled movements. 

Even performing daily tasks and basic movements could be problematic. 

Life is not the same for everyone!

Moreover, DBS is a common treatment for Parkinson’s disease.

Interestingly, a recent study by the researchers of The University Of Minnesota Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital showed the effects of brain stimulation surgery on mental flexibility and self-control. 

The study also goes on to demonstrate how DBS, when merged with AI, is more effective in improving the mental functions of people dealing with seizures and epilepsy.

Deep Brain Stimulation For Epilepsy – What New Research Shows?

Here’s a detailed rundown of the study.

Basis Of The Study

Epilepsy causes temporary glitches. This brain disorder causes electrical disruptions and could cause great emotional turmoil. 

And while there is no known cause of unpredictable seizures, they can be controlled with medication and therapies.

But wouldn’t it be better if instead of altering the symptoms, patients would be able to take control of it.

With this in mind…

And as it can improve the patient’s brain function, DBS operation can also assist in aiding the impaired process of shifting from one behavior or thought pattern to another. 

Hence, benefiting those coping with severe mental illness. 

Method Of Study

A human study was conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

Under the study, 12 patients went through brain surgery for epilepsy. 

The procedure placed numerous tiny electrodes to record and identify the origination of seizures. 

An expert in epilepsy research (Widge) and an expert in clinical brain stimulation (Darin Dougherty) came together to find an improved way to treat this illness.

They identified a brain region, the internal capsule, that controls cognitive functions. This region affects mental functions when stimulated with small electrical energy.

Moreover, the team came up with algorithms to track the patient’s cognitive control activities (based on their physical activity and directly from the brain as well) after the stimulation therapy. 

Result Of The Study

The outcome of the study indicated:

1. When patients were lacking in the laboratory test of cognitive control, the controller method boosted the stimulation. 
2. The system was quick at reading the brain activity.
3. It successfully decoded when a patient was having difficulty and applied small electrical stimulation to help the person get past that difficulty.

So, basically, the method works as a brain pacemaker. 

Key Inferences From The Study

Further analysis of deep brain stimulation in epilepsy showed the following key inferences from the study:

1. It is a breakthrough finding in the reliable enhancement of specific human mental functions associated with mental illness by precisely targeting through electrical stimulation.
2. The internal brain structure capsule has specific subparts that are unusually competent for cognitive enhancement. 
3. As compared to stimulating at random times, the closed-loop algorithm was 2X more effective. 
4. Patients who had anxiety along with epilepsy responded better when treated with cognitive enhancing stimulation. 
5. Patients exhibited improvement in their anxiety and were able to shift their focus from distress. 
6. According to Wedge, this method could be helpful in treating patients with severe medication-resistant anxiety, disorders, and depression. 
7. Instead of subduing the symptoms, it provided patients with a tool to take control of their minds. 

Looking at the results and key inferences, we can say the treatment can be a boon for those who were suffering because of deep brain seizures and mental disorders. 

The research clearly states that this method can help people shift their thoughts.

If that’s the case, then this study on deep brain stimulation for epilepsy has found a way to help people with “suicidal thoughts” and “addiction.”

Deep brain stimulation in the merger with Artificial Intelligence is an innovative approach to treat people with different mental disorders and not just epilepsy.

So, in case you don’t know what deep brain stimulation is, here’s your answer.

What Is Deep Brain Stimulation?

Deep brain stimulation is a neurological procedure that involves the implantation of electrodes and electrical stimulation. 

That way it is a method to reduce seizure frequency.

Moreover, DBS helps send electrical pulses to specific brain areas where seizures occur. 

Deep brain stimulation surgery has long been used to treat the following issues:

• Parkinson’s disease
• Epilepsy
• Dystonia
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
• Essential tremor
• Psychiatric conditions

As it is an improved treatment for movement disorders, as stated in the study, it has been approved by the Food And Drug Administration for deep brain stimulation for improving cognitive control in epilepsy patients.

How does it work?

Let’s find out…

Effects Of Deep Brain Stimulation On Your Brain?

Deep brain stimulation alters the abnormal signals resulting in improvement of symptoms. 

Basically, what happens in DBS surgery is doctors implant small wires or electrodes in the brain through surgery. And these wires receive mild electric stimulation via a pulse generator implanted in the chest. 

This small neurostimulator passes continuous pulses of electric current through the wire to the brain. 

These electrical impulses normalize the abnormal impulses. It blocks such faulty signals that cause tremor occurrences and other restricted movement symptoms. 

Moreover, when it comes to assisting in treating mental disorder issues, it helps block faulty signals and help divert the negative thoughts. 

The fact that this neurological process can target a specific brain area makes it a promising procedure to treat severe depression and OCD. 

In a way, it treats all the mental conditions dictated by your cognitive control.

The process of DBS helps control the symptoms of mental disorders which eventually is managed with continuous treatment. 

Although it is a considerable form of treatment for hard-to-treat mental disorders, DBS is still under experiment and its future prospects are quite promising.

Brain Stimulation 2.0: What the Future Holds?

DBS has dramatically changed the quality of life for a lot of people. 

Not only those dealing with tremors and seizures but also those who are suffering from anxiety and slow brain activity can greatly benefit from the procedure. 

And this, in turn, has generated a hope that in the coming 5-10 years, DBS will have more refined treatment for the motor as well as non-motor symptoms.

Here’s what we expect from DBS in the coming future:

1. There will be rechargeable devices.
2. There could be a closed-loop DBS system allowing the stimulator to adjust according to disease-specific neural biomarkers. 
3. To localize the DBS electrodes, open-access software can be used. 
4. By using the stimulation parameters, finding the volume of activated tissues around the electrode would be possible. It’ll shed light on key neurocircuitry elements.
5. In the near future, we could witness a DBS system compatible with the wireless network. And as it happens, remote programming by physicians could be possible. 

However, on the flip side, DBS can also turn darker. It may give rise to “brain-jacking” and other privacy issues.

One way or the other, the evolution in Deep Brain Stimulation technology is about to get huge. 

Summary

Deep Brain stimulation is not just any surgical procedure. 

It has helped people overcome intense disorders and turned their life upside down. In the study we saw above, deep brain stimulation for epilepsy took place in a merger with AI. 

Although DBS, the so-called “ Brain-pacemaker”, cannot completely eliminate the symptoms, it undoubtedly is a considerable choice to improve the quality of life of those suffering. 

And yes, not to forget, like everything in life, DBS does have its downsides as well, which have to be considered.

Nonetheless, the future is ready with some hard-to-believe innovations that will make us feel like we are in some kind of Hollywood movie.

What do you think? Share your thoughts with us down in the comments section.

JOURNAL SOURCE: Closed-loop enhancement and neural decoding of cognitive control in humans

University of Minnesota Medical School Publication