Focused Ultrasound May Benefit Patients with Epilepsy
|
By HospiMedica International staff writers Posted on 17 Nov 2021 |
|
Image: Focused ultrasound being delivered using neuronavigation and EEG monitoring (Photo courtesy of Hsiang-Yu Yu/ VGHTPE)
A new study suggests that focused ultrasound (FUS) of the brain may benefit patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE).
Researchers at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU; Taipei, Taiwan), Taipei Veterans General Hospital (Taiwan), and other institutions conducted a study in six DRE patients who were scheduled to undergo stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG) for localization of the seizure onset zone (SOZ), providing a window of opportunity to investigate the neuromodulatory effects of FUS. Simultaneous SEEG recordings were obtained during sonication and for three days after treatment to monitor seizures, interictal epileptiform discharges, and adverse events.
The results revealed a decrease in seizure frequency in two patients within the three-day follow-up, with significant changes in spectral power of SEEG noted at the targeted electrodes during FUS; one patient showed an increase in the frequency of subclinical seizures. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed neither lesion nor brain edema. One patient reported subjective scalp heating during FUS, and one patient developed transient naming and memory impairment that resolved within three weeks. The study was published on November 2, 2021, in Epilepsia.
“Neuromodulation is an alternative treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy. Compared with the present modalities used in neuromodulation for epilepsy, focused ultrasound can access deeper brain regions and focus on the main target of the epileptic network in a relatively less invasive approach,” said senior author Hsiang-Yu Yu, PhD, of VGHTPE and the NYCU Brain Research Center. “It gives new hope and sheds new light for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy.”
Focused ultrasound is based on nonlinear acoustic mathematical optimization methods to analyze and simulate the propagation of sound in material. The information is then used to enhance the shape of an acoustic lens in such a way that that ultrasound pressure is focused precisely on the location of the tissue to be treated, while the surrounding tissue retains as little damage as possible.
Related Links:
National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
Taipei Veterans General Hospital
Researchers at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU; Taipei, Taiwan), Taipei Veterans General Hospital (Taiwan), and other institutions conducted a study in six DRE patients who were scheduled to undergo stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG) for localization of the seizure onset zone (SOZ), providing a window of opportunity to investigate the neuromodulatory effects of FUS. Simultaneous SEEG recordings were obtained during sonication and for three days after treatment to monitor seizures, interictal epileptiform discharges, and adverse events.
The results revealed a decrease in seizure frequency in two patients within the three-day follow-up, with significant changes in spectral power of SEEG noted at the targeted electrodes during FUS; one patient showed an increase in the frequency of subclinical seizures. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed neither lesion nor brain edema. One patient reported subjective scalp heating during FUS, and one patient developed transient naming and memory impairment that resolved within three weeks. The study was published on November 2, 2021, in Epilepsia.
“Neuromodulation is an alternative treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy. Compared with the present modalities used in neuromodulation for epilepsy, focused ultrasound can access deeper brain regions and focus on the main target of the epileptic network in a relatively less invasive approach,” said senior author Hsiang-Yu Yu, PhD, of VGHTPE and the NYCU Brain Research Center. “It gives new hope and sheds new light for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy.”
Focused ultrasound is based on nonlinear acoustic mathematical optimization methods to analyze and simulate the propagation of sound in material. The information is then used to enhance the shape of an acoustic lens in such a way that that ultrasound pressure is focused precisely on the location of the tissue to be treated, while the surrounding tissue retains as little damage as possible.
Related Links:
National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
Taipei Veterans General Hospital
Gold Member
Neonatal Heel Incision Device
Tenderfoot
Blood Pressure Monitor
Cuff Blood Pressure Monitor
Creatinine/eGFR Meter
StatSensor® Creatinine/eGFR Meter
Latest Patient Care News
- AI Avatar Doctor Improves Patient Understanding Before Radiotherapy
- Wearable Sleep Data Predict Adherence to Pulmonary Rehabilitation
- Revolutionary Automatic IV-Line Flushing Device to Enhance Infusion Care
- VR Training Tool Combats Contamination of Portable Medical Equipment
- Portable Biosensor Platform to Reduce Hospital-Acquired Infections
- First-Of-Its-Kind Portable Germicidal Light Technology Disinfects High-Touch Clinical Surfaces in Seconds
- Surgical Capacity Optimization Solution Helps Hospitals Boost OR Utilization
- Game-Changing Innovation in Surgical Instrument Sterilization Significantly Improves OR Throughput
- Next Gen ICU Bed to Help Address Complex Critical Care Needs
- Groundbreaking AI-Powered UV-C Disinfection Technology Redefines Infection Control Landscape
- Clean Hospitals Can Reduce Antibiotic Resistance, Save Lives
- Smart Hospital Beds Improve Accuracy of Medical Diagnosis
- New Fast Endoscope Drying System Improves Productivity and Traceability
- World’s First Automated Endoscope Cleaner Fights Antimicrobial Resistance
- Portable High-Capacity Digital Stretcher Scales Provide Precision Weighing for Patients in ER
- Portable Clinical Scale with Remote Indicator Allows for Flexible Patient Weighing Use
Channels
Artificial Intelligence
view channel
Collaborative AI System Improves Medical Diagnostic Accuracy
Hospitals face a persistent trade-off when deploying artificial intelligence for diagnosis. Broad “generalist” models handle many tasks but often lack disease-specific precision. Narrow “specialist” models... Read more
AI-Powered Brain-Body Interface Supports Movement and Sensation Recovery
Neurological injuries such as stroke and spinal cord trauma frequently leave patients with profound motor and sensory deficits that limit independence. Rehabilitation may restore some movement, but recovery... Read more
Critical Care
view channel
New Soft Optical Sensor Advances Heart and Brain Activity Mapping
Continuous monitoring of cardiac and neurological activity is crucial for diagnosis and therapy, yet current electrode-based implants can damage soft tissue and degrade signal quality. Rigid materials... Read more
AI System Stabilizes Oxygen Levels More Reliably Than Standard Care
Maintaining safe oxygen levels in hospitalized adults is a constant challenge. Manual titration can allow dangerous dips in oxygenation, known as hypoxemia, or excessive oxygen levels, known as hyperoxemia,... Read more
Surgical Techniques
view channel
Combined Phage and Microbiota Therapy May Reduce Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections
Recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTIs) are frequent relapses of urinary infections that persist despite standard therapy. They increase morbidity, expose patients to repeated antibiotic courses, and... Read more
New AR Technology Provides Real-Time Guidance During ACL Surgery
Precision during arthroscopic procedures is critical, yet intra-articular orientation can be challenging, and technical errors may compromise outcomes. In anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, tunnel... Read more
Medical Imaging
view channel
Automated Breast Ultrasound Platform Improves Dense Breast Screening
Breast cancer screening in women with dense breast tissue remains challenging because density can obscure lesions on mammography and is linked to higher cancer risk. Large, multi-site breast programs also... Read more
‘Local Brain Age’ AI Mapping Tool Reveals Patterns of Cognitive Impairment
Dementia care is hindered by the lack of precise tools to detect and track early neurodegeneration. Conventional brain age measures often compress complex, region-specific changes into a single value,... Read more
Health IT
view channel
Short Digital Training Program Improves Motor Function in Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson's disease causes motor symptoms that interfere with movement and daily activities. Drug treatment is standard care, yet additional approaches are needed to target motor control.... Read more
New Cloud Platform Streamlines Capsule Endoscopy Workflow and Reporting
Capsule endoscopy programs depend on coordinated acquisition, review, and reporting to support gastrointestinal services. Managing these activities across practices and health systems requires reliable... Read more
Point of Care
view channel
Rapid Onsite Testing Reduces Emergency Department Transfers in Long-Term Care
Respiratory infections in long-term care residents frequently trigger emergency department transfers that strain hospital capacity and expose frail patients to additional risks. Turnaround delays from... Read more
New Brain Ultrasound Platform Enables Bedside Postoperative Imaging
Transporting postoperative patients for CT or MRI can create operational burdens, delays, and disruptions in care. Bedside visualization may help reduce transport demands, lower radiation exposure, and... Read more
Business
view channel
AI Software Combines Nodule Detection and Diagnosis for Lung Cancer Screening
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer mortality, and screening programs rely on computed tomography to identify disease earlier when curative treatment is more likely. High patient volumes and... Read more
