Tiny subcutaneous implant revolutionizes epilepsy monitoring
Scientists from King's College London, Mayo Clinic, and UNEEG Medical have confirmed that a subcutaneous sqEEG device is an effective way to monitor epilepsy in patients' daily lives. The coin-sized implant enabled the recording of over 70,000 hours of brain activity and hundreds of seizures. The study results show that the system could be a breakthrough in the diagnosis and treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy.
Until now, monitoring epilepsy has largely relied on subjective patient diaries. This is problematic because many people are unaware of their seizures, confuse them with other symptoms, or simply don't remember the details. This is especially true for people with drug-resistant epilepsy – about a third of patients.
To find a better solution, researchers from King's College London, in collaboration with the Mayo Clinic and UNEEG Medical, tested a miniature EEG implant that sits under the skin. The results were published in the prestigious journal Epilepsia .
The device, about the size of a one-pound coin, is placed behind the ear under the scalp under local anesthesia. A thin wire is connected to it and directed to the area where seizures are expected. The implant connects wirelessly to a skin-worn recorder, allowing brain data to be collected for up to several hours a day.
The study involved 10 adults with treatment-resistant epilepsy. SqEEG data were collected over a 15-month period, while traditional seizure diaries and health monitoring were conducted.
The study recorded nearly 72,000 hours of brain activity and 754 seizures. Most participants rated the implant as acceptable and discreet, with half using it for an average of more than 20 hours per day.
Comparison of patient diaries with implant data revealed significant differences. Patients reported only 48% of their seizures accurately, and as many as 27% of events recorded in the diaries were unrelated to epileptic activity.
Prof. Mark Richardson of King's College London emphasized:
"It is crucial that people with treatment-resistant epilepsy have access to the best possible care. This is made much more difficult by the fact that doctors must rely on patient reports to determine when episodes occurred."
Dr. Pedro Vianá , co-author of the study, also notes the importance of this technology:
“The ability to monitor seizures in the real world, accurately collecting data on the type and timing of their occurrence, will be an invaluable tool for clinicians in the future.”
The researchers emphasize that while the study is an important step forward, further, larger-scale trials are needed. Professor Benjamin Brinkmann of the Mayo Clinic noted that "subcutaneous EEG devices are capable of providing objective information about seizures and brain activity over long periods of time."
For UNEEG Medical, which co-created the system, the study is a milestone.
“We have already started incorporating valuable feedback from clinicians at King’s College London into our solution to further enhance its clinical value,” says Jonas Duun-Henriksen from UNEEG Medical.
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