Neuromodulation (VNS and DBS)
Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) is a type of neuromodulation device designated for the treatment of DRE usually reserved for those who are not candidates for resective epilepsy surgery. Since the approval of VNS 20 years ago in North America, more than 90,000 patients (Database published in 2016) have been implanted worldwide. VNS is a relatively safe therapy with a small number of complications and side effects. The most relevant publications on this topic can be found under the Clinical Research publications.
iEEG Analysis
The gold standard diagnostic test is stereo electroencephalography (SEEG), which allows identifying area(s) of abnormal brain activity through electrodes implanted inside the brain. Despite many new technologies, numerous patients do not achieve seizure control after surgery. A better understanding of individualized patient’s pathophysiological changes in the brain network improves their outcome chances of controlling seizures. In collaboration with other labs, we develop mathematical and statistical signal processing methods to better understand these neural patterns.
Clinical Epilepsy (SUDEP)
Premature mortality among epilepsy patients is well recognized, with a 3-fold increased risk of unnatural death compared to the general population. This risk is higher in patients with therapy-resistant epilepsy. Some of these deaths fulfill the criteria of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), but the pathological mechanisms underlying SUDEP remain poorly understood. The goal of this study is to describe the mortality in our epilepsy population and learn more about SUDEP.