A young boy suffering from severe epilepsy has become the first person globally to undergo a trial of a new implanted device aimed at managing seizures.
Oran Knowlson, 13 years old from Somerset, underwent surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London to implant a neurostimulator in his brain.
This device, which sends electrical signals deep into the brain, has significantly reduced Oran’s daily seizures by 80%, according to his mother, Justine, who spoke to the BBC. She noted that Oran is now happier and enjoying a much-improved quality of life.
Oran has Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, a form of epilepsy that typically doesn’t respond well to treatment. Since the age of three, he has endured numerous daily seizures, ranging in severity. Justine described how these seizures had profoundly impacted Oran’s childhood, often causing him to fall, shake violently, and occasionally stop breathing, requiring emergency intervention.
The surgery, conducted in October 2023, involved inserting two electrodes into Oran’s brain, precisely targeting the thalamus, a critical brain region involved in seizure activity.
The Picostim neurostimulator, manufactured by Amber Therapeutics in the UK, was placed in a gap in Oran’s skull and secured with screws. Unlike previous devices placed in the chest, this neurostimulator remains in Oran’s skull, potentially reducing complications such as infections.
Oran is participating in a clinical trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of this deep brain stimulation approach for severe epilepsy.
The device works by emitting constant electrical pulses aimed at disrupting abnormal brain signals that trigger seizures.
Oran’s recovery has been promising, with noticeable improvements in his alertness and a reduction in both daytime and nighttime seizures.
Looking forward, the medical team hopes to further enhance the device’s capabilities, potentially enabling it to respond in real-time to changes in Oran’s brain activity to preempt seizures.
Justine expressed optimism about the future, acknowledging that while the treatment isn’t a cure, it has significantly brightened Oran’s prospects and restored hope to their family.
