Brain stimulation for treatment of refractory epilepsy  

作　　者：GE Yan HU Wei LIU Chong ZHANG Jian-guo MENG Fan-gang 

机构地区：[1]Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China [2]Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA [3]Department of Neurosurgery, Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, B eijing 100050, China

出　　处：《Chinese Medical Journal》2013年第17期3364-3370,共7页中华医学杂志（英文版）

基　　金：This work was supported partly by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China （No. 81071224, 81241048）, the Beijing Natural Science Foundation （No. 7123209）, and Beijing Health System Advanced Health Technology Talent Cultivation Plan （No. 2011-3-032）.

摘　　要：Objective We review the targets of the deep brain and the responsive neurostimulation system （RNS） to identify the best optimal stimulation parameters and the best mode of stimulation, whether cyclical, continuous, or smarter. Data sources This review is based on data obtained from published articles from 1950 to 2013. To perform the PubMed literature search, the following keywords were input： deep brain stimulation （DBS）, RNS, and refractory epilepsy. Study selection Articles containing information related to brain stimulation or RNS for the treatment of refractory epilepsy were selected. Results The currently available treatment options for those patients who resist multiple antiepileptic medications and surgical procedures include electric stimulation, both direct and indirect, of brain nuclei thought to be involved in epileptogenesis. The number of potential targets has increased over the years to include the anterior nucleus of the thalamus, the centromedian nucleus of the thalamus, the hippocampus, the subthalamic nucleus, the caudate nucleus, and the cerebellum, among others. The results of a randomized controlled trial and the RNS trial were published to reveal the effectiveness. Conclusions Although statistically significant reductions in seizures have been observed using several different stimulation techniques, including vagus nerve stimulation, DBS, and RNS, these effects are currently only palliative and do not approach the efficacy comparable with that seen in resection in appropriately selected patients. More research is needed to determine optimal stimulation targets and techniques as well as to determine which epilepsy patients will benefit most from this technology.Objective We review the targets of the deep brain and the responsive neurostimulation system （RNS） to identify the best optimal stimulation parameters and the best mode of stimulation, whether cyclical, continuous, or smarter. Data sources This review is based on data obtained from published articles from 1950 to 2013. To perform the PubMed literature search, the following keywords were input： deep brain stimulation （DBS）, RNS, and refractory epilepsy. Study selection Articles containing information related to brain stimulation or RNS for the treatment of refractory epilepsy were selected. Results The currently available treatment options for those patients who resist multiple antiepileptic medications and surgical procedures include electric stimulation, both direct and indirect, of brain nuclei thought to be involved in epileptogenesis. The number of potential targets has increased over the years to include the anterior nucleus of the thalamus, the centromedian nucleus of the thalamus, the hippocampus, the subthalamic nucleus, the caudate nucleus, and the cerebellum, among others. The results of a randomized controlled trial and the RNS trial were published to reveal the effectiveness. Conclusions Although statistically significant reductions in seizures have been observed using several different stimulation techniques, including vagus nerve stimulation, DBS, and RNS, these effects are currently only palliative and do not approach the efficacy comparable with that seen in resection in appropriately selected patients. More research is needed to determine optimal stimulation targets and techniques as well as to determine which epilepsy patients will benefit most from this technology.

关 键 词：brain stimulation TARGET refractory epilepsy stimulation parameters 

分 类 号：R742.1[医药卫生—神经病学与精神病学]