New Options for Epilepsy Treatment: Devices and Gene Therapy

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition affecting around 50 million people worldwide, with unpredictable seizures that can significantly impact quality of life. While medication controls seizures in many patients, it often comes with side effects, and new technologies are being developed to offer alternative solutions. Neurosurgeon Dr. Nicholas Parker, director of the Device-Based Neuroelectronics Research Lab at Mayo Clinic, explains that the goal is to provide a personalized approach that offers the safest and most effective treatment options for each patient.

Key Takeaways:

• Around 50 million people worldwide suffer from epilepsy, a chronic neurological condition that can affect anyone of any age.
• Medication controls seizures in many patients, but it often comes with side effects such as sleepiness, cognitive changes, mood changes, and a feeling of mental fogginess.
• New options in development include devices and gene and cell therapies aimed at resetting or rehabilitating brain circuits that cause seizures.
• Neuromodulation techniques, such as deep brain stimulation, are being explored to electrically rehabilitate abnormal circuitry causing seizures.
• Neural cell therapy involves transplanting interneurons into the affected area of the brain to restore the normal balance of electrical activity.
• Gene therapy aims to modify genes in the part of the brain where seizures are coming from to reduce their activity.
• Researchers at Mayo Clinic are investigating regenerative therapies to address the root cause of epilepsy at the cellular or molecular level.

Statistics:

• 50 million people worldwide suffer from epilepsy.
• Up to one-third of patients with epilepsy experience seizures that are not controlled by medication.
• 2025: The year in which people with epilepsy will have access to innovative treatments such as devices and gene therapy.

Sources:

• "Epilepsy on Its Own Is Very Impactful on Quality of Life" by Nicholas Parker, M.D., Neurosurgeon in Phoenix, AZ
• Mayo Clinic, Device-Based Neuroelectronics Research Lab
• Tribune Content Agency, LLC, 2025