Groundbreaking Brain Implant Allows Teen to Live Seizure-Free After Years of Struggle

Groundbreaking Brain Implant Allows Teen to Live Seizure-Free After Years of Struggle

Imagine waking up without the fear of seizures after enduring daily episodes for years. For 17-year-old Clara Fuller, this became her reality, thanks to revolutionary brain implant technology. Her transformation from living with persistent seizures to enjoying a normal teenage life demonstrates the remarkable advancements in medical innovation.

At just 13, Clara began experiencing uncontrollable seizures that left doctors stumped. Initially mistaken for anxiety and gallbladder disorders, she even underwent an unnecessary surgery. After extensive evaluations, physicians finally diagnosed her with multi-focal epilepsy, a rare and severe form that does not respond to conventional medications.

“Every night I would have seizures, as many as 10, and it was simply miserable,” Clara shared, reflecting on the years taken away by her condition.

Her teenage years were filled with sleepless nights and ongoing medical obstacles, robbing her of the simple pleasures of adolescence. For years, there appeared to be no viable solution to her plight.

This all changed last summer when Clara became the first pediatric patient to receive a groundbreaking brain implant through a minimally invasive procedure at the Mayo Clinic, utilizing NeuroOne’s state-of-the-art technology. The device, known as the NeuroOne OneRF Ablation System, is the first FDA-cleared device designed for diagnosing and treating neurological disorders in a single procedure.

“The entire process took about 30 minutes, and the longest part was setting up the equipment,” Clara explained regarding the procedure that altered her life.

A New Hope

Dr. Brin Freund, a neurologist at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, elaborated on Clara’s situation:

“Clara has a history of seizures that were, unfortunately, uncontrolled with medications. In these scenarios, surgery often becomes the only option to mitigate or potentially cure the disorder. After performing a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation, our team at Mayo Clinic Florida decided to implant electrodes, known as stereo-electroencephalography or stereo EEG, in her brain. This procedure was essential in determining the origin of her seizures and developing an appropriate surgical strategy for treatment.”

“Clara and her family were fully supportive of this plan, given the severity of her condition and the ineffectiveness of medication. The NeuroOne electrodes allow us to record seizure activity and pinpoint where the seizures originate. From there, we can potentially treat them using radiofrequency ablation.”

The NeuroOne system employs ultra-thin electrodes to identify the precise source of seizures within the brain. After locating the abnormal signals, it uses radiofrequency energy to modify these irregular electrical patterns without causing damage to surrounding brain tissue. This dual functioning capability of diagnosis and treatment distinguishes it from traditional methods requiring multiple surgical interventions.

NeuroOne’s CEO, Dave Rosa, provided further insight:

“What sets our technology apart is its ability to serve both the diagnostic purpose of identifying the seizure source and then targeting that tissue for ablation all within a single hospitalization. This characteristic significantly reduces patient risk by limiting the number of procedures and hospital visits needed.”

The Procedure

Dr. Freund highlighted the advantages of this method:

“Stereo EEG electrodes boast the capacity to accurately locate where seizures begin, provided that the implantation was meticulously planned. The NeuroOne electrodes not only allow for the localization of seizure onset but also enable us to conduct surgical treatment simultaneously without needing an additional invasive procedure, such as a craniotomy to remove brain tissue.”

“These electrodes allow for greater control during the ablation procedure. They also give us confidence that they will remain effective throughout the duration of the treatment, which includes collecting seizure data, conducting the ablation, and recording data post-procedure to validate the success of the treatment.”

A Life Transformed

The results for Clara have been dramatic. Since her procedure, she has remained completely seizure-free. She is now back to participating in school, playing sports, and enjoying uninterrupted sleep—activities that once felt out of reach.

Dr. Freund reported, “Regarding the implantation, Clara did exceptionally well, experiencing no adverse effects. The first ablation process didn’t cause any complications. After collecting data showing persistent seizure activity, we performed a second ablation a few days later, which was again well-tolerated and free of complications. Months after removing the electrodes, Clara has shown no signs of negative aftereffects and has remained seizure-free since then.”

Clara’s experience offers hope to those grappling with drug-resistant epilepsy, a condition affecting roughly one-third of the 3 million Americans diagnosed with epilepsy. Rosa commented on the motivation behind creating such technology: “The goal of expanding ablation therapies to assist patients who do not respond to medication motivated our development efforts.”

NeuroOne’s innovative technology is not confined to epilepsy treatment alone. The company aims to explore applications for other issues, such as pain management for facial and lower back pain, utilizing the same radiofrequency ablation technology. Rosa sees a broad scope for addressing various neurological conditions beyond epilepsy.

Future Impact

Dr. Freund believes this technology can significantly enhance long-term care for pediatric patients suffering from epilepsy:

“This approach could dramatically reduce the number of procedures needed for comprehensive treatment of drug-resistant focal epilepsy while allowing for immediate feedback on the effectiveness of surgical interventions. By limiting the frequency of brain surgeries, we minimize the associated risks of adverse events. This technology also opens up treatment options for deeper areas of the brain.”

He added that the widespread implementation of this technology may soon follow:

“Currently, we use these electrodes in every case necessitating Stereo EEG for treating drug-resistant epilepsy. As more medical centers adopt this technology, it will likely become a standard practice.”

Clara’s extraordinary journey from living with a debilitating medical condition to a life of newfound freedom serves as a testament to how advancements in medical technology can dramatically change lives. Her experience provides a source of optimism for individuals battling drug-resistant epilepsy and similar neurological challenges.

As technological advancements continue to break new ground, we can anticipate even more innovative treatments, presenting renewed hope for those previously confined by their health conditions. With the commitment shown by NeuroOne’s team, this pioneering technology heralds a future where fewer surgeries and safer outcomes become standard in medical procedures.

If you or someone you know is facing epilepsy, would you consider exploring pioneering treatments like these? Share your thoughts with us today.