Focused Ultrasound for Drug-resistant Epilepsy
Focused ultrasound (FUS) has been shown to differentially lesion or modulate (excite and inhibit) brain circuit and neural activity across a broad range of acoustic stimulus parameters (intensity, duty cycle, pulse repetition frequency and pulse duration) for decades. From our previous study, FUS sonication may suppress the number of epileptic signal bursts observed in EEG recordings after the induction of acute epilepsy. The presence of the suppressive effect was found in terms of the number of epileptic EEG spikes from the analysis of the unfiltered and theta-band EEG activity, and further discontinue the seizure attacks. EEG activity has also been consistently reported to have a positive correlation with the level of epilepsy, and FUS-mediated reduction of epileptic EEG activity was most notably observed, no matter lesioning or modulating effects. The aims of this study are to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of FUS technology in epilepsy patients and to estimate the optimal parameters of focused ultrasound exposure that will be used in the case of epilepsy.
• Patients aged 20 and above.
• Localized refractory epilepsy (ineffective with maximum doses of two or more anti-seizure medications).
• Seizure frequency records for at least one month prior to the trial.
• Patients who have undergone a complete preoperative examination, including EEG, MRI, and positron emission tomography (PET).
• Capable of undergoing high-resolution computed tomography (CT scan), and SDR (Skull Density Ratio) ≥ 0.3.
• Must have a body type suitable for entry into the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine and be able to tolerate MRI scans.
• During the surgical procedure, communication with the physician and the expression of sensory perceptions are essential; general anesthesia is not required.
• Must be able to voluntarily press the stop button.
• Willing to undergo removal of hair from the treatment site.