Sheba Medical Center introduces a revolutionary new treatment for refractory epilepsy, offering hope to patients who have exhausted other medical options.
A patient with refractory epilepsy, also known as drug-resistant epilepsy, underwent a life-changing procedure this week, marking the first time it has been conducted in Israel. Previously performed on only five patients in Australia as part of an epilepsy trial led by St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne’s Head of Neurology, Professor Mark Cook, the procedure utilizes high-definition brain mapping. This technology enables doctors to precisely locate seizure activity within the brain, allowing for the targeted delivery of anti-seizure medication via a long-term abdominal pump implant. As a result, this method addresses issues with drug absorption and uptake barriers, bringing patients closer to a seizure-free state.
Dr. Zion Zibly, Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery and Head of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery at Sheba Medical Center explained, “During the complex surgery, a special catheter was implanted deep in the patient’s brain, connected to a pump implanted in her abdomen containing the medication. The catheter is inserted into a specific area of the brain, allowing the medication to be distributed throughout the brain’s surface, resulting in a dramatic reduction in the frequency of seizures.”
Hope on the Horizon for Refractory Epilepsy Patients
Refractory epilepsy affects approximately 30% of epilepsy patients. This new treatment can disrupt abnormal electrical activity in the brain, preventing seizures even before they start.
Professor Nicola Maggio, a Neurologist, Epileptologist, Neurophysiologist, and Deputy Head of the Department of Neurology at Sheba Medical Center noted that the patient, identified as a perfect candidate by Dr. Keren Altman, a specialist in the Neurology Department at Sheba, had exhausted all treatment options. He explained, “The innovative procedure represents a fundamental shift in treating refractory epilepsy, involving the administration of medication directly to the brain, eliminating the need for removing parts of the brain and preserving cognitive and functional integrity.
A Brighter Future Lies Ahead
Additionally, the hospital is exploring the use of novel pharmacological agents that target specific neurotransmitter systems implicated in refractory epilepsy. Still in the experimental phase, these drugs have shown promise in early clinical trials and may offer a new line of defense for patients who have exhausted other options.
The introduction of this new treatment protocol at Sheba Medical Center represents a significant milestone in the fight against refractory epilepsy. For many patients and their families, it offers renewed hope and the possibility of a future free from debilitating seizures. As research and clinical trials continue, the medical community remains optimistic that these advancements will lead to even more effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure for epilepsy.
For more information on the new refractory epilepsy treatment at Sheba Medical Center, visit their official website or consult recent publications in medical journals detailing these groundbreaking developments.
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