This hub covers epilepsy devices and neuromodulation like VNS, RNS, and DBS, which are treatments that can reduce seizures when meds aren’t enough. Plain-language research summaries plus real-life pros/cons.
Some are used more often in adults, but pediatric use depends on the device, the case, and specialist guidance.
Often gradually. Improvement can build over months as settings are optimized.
Sometimes medication can be reduced, but many people still use meds alongside a device.
Sometimes yes, with device-specific rules. Always check the exact device guidelines first.
This paper was a systematic review of studies on two neuromodulation treatments for drug-resistant epilepsy: transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS).
Researchers built a “brain-age” tool from structural MRI scans.
This study looked at the risk of major congenital malformations in babies born to women who used common antiseizure medicine combinations during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
This paper was a systematic review, which means the authors searched for and combined results from earlier studies rather than testing a new device themselves.
This paper was a systematic review, which means the authors gathered and assessed many earlier studies instead of testing one new tool themselves.
This study combined results from 14 research studies about COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in adults with epilepsy.
This paper reviewed published research on monogenic developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEE), with a focus on movement disorders that occur along with epilepsy.
This study looked at which first antiseizure medicine was prescribed to children with epilepsy in the United States from 2015 to 2024.
This paper was a systematic review with pooled analysis of studies on deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the thalamus for adults with drug-resistant epilepsy.