Brain stimulation in the treatment of epilepsy

Abstract

Stimulation of the brain for the treatment of epilepsy, indirectly via the vagus nerve and directly through intracranial targets, is feasible and has increased in use and complexity over the past 10 years. Vagus nerve stimulation is widely applied and the present indications and outcomes together with possible ways in which the treatment could be refined are reviewed. The application of stimulation to deep-brain targets is also reviewed along with present practice and results. Possible developments in the use of direct intracranial stimulation are also considered.

• children
• electrodes implanted
• epilepsy
• functional magnetic resonance imaging
• magnetic resonance imaging
• stimulation
• subthalamic nucleus
• surgery
• thalamic nuclei
• vagus nerve