Neuromodulation Techniques in Epilepsy Management: Innovations and Insights

Overview

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder marked by recurrent seizures. Management involves antiepileptic medications, lifestyle adjustments, and, in some cases, surgery or ketogenic diets to control seizures and improve quality of life. Regular medical supervision is essential.

The disease can affect anyone; the mental disorder can affect people of all ages. Pediatric epilepsy occurs due to a child’s high fever or genetic disorder. A child can be affected by epilepsy and face multiple mental issues leading to an obstruction in the child’s academic and social life.

Treatment for Epilepsy

Mentioned below are a few treatment and epilepsy therapy options that help lower the symptoms in an individual:

• • Medications– Different anti-seizure medications help manage the seizure attacks a patient faces. The medicine cannot wholly eradicate epilepsy, but help manage the seizure attack and social and professional life. The medications calm the agitated patient and help to slow the spark of electrical signals in the brain. These medications may also have side effects such as skin rash or headache; they should be used only after consulting a doctor.
  • Surgery– Different types of surgeries for different forms of epilepsy attacks help to resolve the disorder. The surgery involves removing damaged brain tissue due to an imbalance of electrical signals. The surgery lowers the seizure attack episodes, allowing patients to stay calm and live a routine.
  • Changes in Diet– A keto diet is recommended in case of paediatric epilepsy. The high-fat, low-carb diet helps to balance the seizure-triggering element in the brain and lower the symptoms of the mental disorder. The diet may be challenging to follow adults and should only be practised under professional medical help’s guidance.
  • Ketogenic Diet- This high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet may be prescribed for individuals with drug-resistant epilepsy, particularly in children. It can help control seizures by altering the brain’s metabolism.
  • Lifestyle Modifications- Avoiding triggers such as sleep deprivation, alcohol, and stress can help reduce the risk of seizures. Adequate sleep, stress management, and maintaining a regular routine can be beneficial.
  • Biofeedback- This technique helps individuals better control their body’s physiological responses, potentially reducing seizure frequency.

What is the Neuromodulation Technique?

Neuromodulation Technique (NMT) is a non-invasive holistic healthcare system. It involves using muscle testing and energy balancing techniques to identify and address imbalances in the body’s energy field. Practitioners claim that NMT can help with various health issues by promoting the body’s self-healing mechanisms. However, it’s considered pseudoscientific by mainstream medicine, and scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness is limited.

The devices used to perform neuromodulation work on different parts of the body and help to deal with health issues such as urinary incontinence, Parkinson’s disease, pelvic disorders, and to perform deep brain stimulation. The technique involves working directly on the targeted site; it is a successful option for treating multiple health issues.

How does neuromodulation help to manage epilepsy?

Neuromodulation in epilepsy is a new and practical approach to deal with seizures faced during epilepsy. The technique involves the installation of an electrode near the affected nerve and stimulates the brain signals that are the primary cause of a seizure attack. The technique has a high success rate in managing the symptoms of epilepsy. Doctors highly embrace the method to treat their epilepsy patients for effective results. It is a safe method, and it delivers effective results.

The neuromodulation technique is divided into three methods that help to treat nerve issues and help epilepsy patients avoid seizure attacks:

• • Vagal Nerve Stimulation (VNS) – Vagal Nerve Stimulation, also known as VNS, is a method that involves implanting the electrode near a nerve in the neck. The device’s battery is implanted near the chest under the skin to keep the device working. The device helps to keep track of the activity of electrical signals in the brain sent through the brain and causing a seizure attack. When the device detects an explosion of signals in the brain causing a seizure, the device helps to reverse the signals and keep the affected patient calm and relaxed.
  • Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) – The technique involves placing the electrode directly in the path of the brain that causes seizures. The device’s battery is implanted near the chest wall under the skin. The method is similar to the VNS technique, where the device can be adjusted to improve the stimulation depending upon the range of an electrical signal of the brain.
  • Responsive Neurostimulation (RNS) is a new neuromodulation in epilepsy technique. The method involves recording the brain signals and identifying the signals that may cause seizure attacks. In case of a seizure, the device immediately stimulates the signals in the brain and avoids the epilepsy symptom. The device’s battery is directly implanted inside the skull, unlike VNS and DBS. No wires are run down the new near the chest. The method also keeps track of the pattern of electrical signals sent by the brain, which helps better treat epilepsy.

When to Consult a Doctor

Timely medical intervention can help cure many of these ailments or help in managing them. You can also get in touch with the expert Neurology doctors at Narayana Healthcare based in your city to get immediate attention and medical support to treat brain conditions, neurological disorders or any other health concern.

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Conclusion

Neuromodulation in epilepsy is a raging technique to help lower the disorder’s symptoms. The technically advanced treatment options help epilepsy patients live a routine and improve their quality. The treatment helps to target the area of issue directly and gives effective results.

FAQs

Q. What is the neuromodulation technique?
A. The technique involves implanting an electrode near a nerve to treat the seizure signals and lower the attack episodes.

Q. How does neuromodulation help in epilepsy management?
A. The electrode placed near the targeted area helps to lower or reverse the seizure signal, thus avoiding a seizure.

Q. How does Vagus Nerve Stimulation help in epilepsy treatment?
A. Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) uses a surgically implanted device to stimulate the vagus nerve to reduce seizure frequency and severity, particularly in cases where medications are ineffective.

Q. How does responsive neurostimulation help in epilepsy treatment?
A. Responsive Neurostimulation (RNS) uses a device implanted in the brain that to continuously monitor electrical activity and deliver electrical stimulation to prevent seizures.

Reference Links

• • https://www.narayanahealth.org/blog/overview-of-epilepsy/
  • https://www.neuromodulation.com/about-neuromodulation
  • https://brownneurosurgery.com/portfolio/neuromodulation-for-epilepsy/