New Technology for the Treatment of Pediatric Epilepsy Now Available at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health

Children with neurological conditions such as epilepsy and movement disorders that don’t respond to medication have new options at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health through surgical treatments and new technology to reduce or eliminate seizures in children.

The pediatric neurology and neurosurgery teams recently performed the first-of-its-kind procedure in Oklahoma to implant a responsive neurostimulation device (RND) in a specific area of the 16-year-old patient’s brain called the thalamus. The patient’s seizures had not been responding to epilepsy medication.

The procedure involves implanting a device that contains a network of electrodes—like a pacemaker—inside the skull. The device continually monitors and records brainwaves and is programmed to emit short pulses of electrical stimulation when it detects abnormal brain activity. When abnormal activity is detected, it responds with short pulses of electrical stimulation to prevent, stop, or lessen a seizure. The device records the brainwaves and allows specialists to customize the device to each child’s specific brain and seizure activity.

The procedure takes 3 to 4 hours and requires only a small incision in the skull. Generally, a short stay in the hospital is all that is required, and the patient does not require extended bed rest. Within a few weeks, children can get back to their normal activities. The RND surgery enables young patients with focal seizures—starting in one or two specific parts of the brain—to participate in everyday activities, including sports, while reducing seizure-related emotional stress for children and their parents.

“The responsive neurostimulation (RNS) device is a giant leap forward in offering sci-fi technology to care for children and adults suffering from epilepsy that does not respond to medications,” said pediatric neurosurgeon Andrew Jea, M.D., professor of neurosurgery, Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery and Co-Director of Pediatric Neurosciences at the OU College of Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences. “RNS is an important representation of our bigger mission in neurology and neurosurgery to offer better world-class neurological and neurosurgical care right here in Oklahoma.”

Offered at the state’s only level 4 comprehensive epilepsy program for children, the device and treatment plan were developed by a diverse team of experts who diagnose, treat and help manage a wide range of complex epilepsy conditions. Following a child’s initial evaluation with an expert epileptologist, diagnostic tests can be recommended to determine the possibility of medication treatment or surgery.

Learn more about Oklahoma’s only level 4 comprehensive epilepsy program for children or call (405) 271-2244