A decade of experience with deep brain stimulation for patients with refractory medial temporal lobe epilepsy

Int J Neural Syst. 2013 Feb;23(1):1250034. doi: 10.1142/S0129065712500347. Epub 2012 Dec 16.

Abstract

In this study, we present long-term results from patients with medial temporal lobe (MTL) epilepsy treated with deep brain stimulation (DBS). Since 2001, 11 patients (8M) with refractory MTL epilepsy underwent MTL DBS. When unilateral DBS failed to decrease seizures by > 90%, a switch to bilateral MTL DBS was proposed. After a mean follow-up of 8.5 years (range: 67-120 months), 6/11 patients had a ≥ 90% seizure frequency reduction with 3/6 seizure-free for > 3 years; three patients had a 40%-70% reduction and two had a < 30% reduction. In 3/5 patients switching to bilateral DBS further improved outcome. Uni- or bilateral MTL DBS did not affect neuropsychological functioning. This open study with an extended long-term follow-up demonstrates maintained efficacy of DBS for MTL epilepsy. In more than half of the patients, a seizure frequency reduction of at least 90% was reached. Bilateral MTL DBS may herald superior efficacy in unilateral MTL epilepsy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Deep Brain Stimulation / adverse effects
  • Deep Brain Stimulation / classification
  • Deep Brain Stimulation / instrumentation
  • Deep Brain Stimulation / methods*
  • Electrodes, Implanted
  • Electroencephalography / instrumentation
  • Electroencephalography / methods
  • Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / drug therapy
  • Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / physiopathology
  • Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / therapy*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Seizures / drug therapy
  • Seizures / physiopathology
  • Seizures / therapy
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants