New brain implant ‘could revolutionise epilepsy treatment’

An innovative brain implant is being developed by scientists in the UK that could help epilepsy patients to deal with seizures more effectively.

The Newcastle University-led project will utilise an implant that uses light waves to try to counteract the disrupted brain activity that causes epileptic seizures. The device is the size of a drawing pin and will be inserted directly into the brain.

Bringing together the disciplines of engineering, basic neurosciences and clinical management, the implant will be developed over a seven-year period, supported by a ten million pound grant from the Wellcome Trust and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.

By continually monitoring and interacting with brain activity to stabilise disrupted networks of neurons, it will be able to counteract seizures before they happen.

Dr Andrew Jackson, a Wellcome Trust Fellow in neuroscience said: "Currently implants only kick in once the seizure has started, which is often too late. If our technique works then it should be more effective and make a real difference to patients' lives."

Epilepsy affects more than 500,000 people in the UK, which means almost one in 100 people has the condition.