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, 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.
This study looked at whether personalized computer models of the brain could help explain why some children with drug-resistant epilepsy improve with vagus nerve stimulation, while others do not.
This study looked at a brain device called the RNS System in adults with drug-resistant focal epilepsy, meaning seizures kept happening despite medicine.
This report describes one 8-year-old boy with brain injury from hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) who had both dystonia, which causes abnormal muscle tightness and movements, and epilepsy that did not respond to medicine.