Friday, October 27, 2023

Brain Pacemaker for Epilepsy

Annie Oeth authored the following press release for UMMC. 

Jessica Vann of Jackson is back doing what she loves – spending time with her family, working as a customer service representative and fishing along the reservoir – after receiving an advanced treatment option for epilepsy. 

Vann didn’t qualify for traditional brain resective surgery, the most common type of epilepsy surgery, because it was determined to be unsafe for her. Following an increasing number of debilitating seizures, Vann needed a solution offered by the University of Mississippi Medical Center: surgery to implant a response neurostimulation system (RNS) to stop seizures before they spread and make Vann lose awareness. She is the first patient to receive this kind of neurostimulator in Mississippi. 

In July, Vann had at least 15 seizures, each leaving her exhausted. Since her surgery on Aug. 8, the number of seizures Vann experiences has decreased. The procedure, she said, “is letting me enjoy life more and be there for my children and family.” 

The NeuroPace system, the first and only brain-responsive neurostimulation system for patients 18 and older with focal seizures in one to two areas of the brain, delivers brief pulses of stimulation when it first detects seizures. The device monitors brainwaves 24 hours a day, detecting unusual activity and responding quickly to regulate brainwave patterns. 

Vann has medically resistant epilepsy, meaning that multiple anti-seizure medications were not controlling her seizures, said her neurologist, Dr. Olga Selioutski, a professor of neurology and epilepsy division chief at UMMC. 

"As she has gone through extensive evaluation, she was determined not to be a candidate for surgical resection (a surgical treatment for epilepsy in which part of the brain is removed),” Selioutski said. “However, there were other options available to her, including RNS. This is a very important step in patient care.” 

The NeuroPace system is personalized to each patient’s brain activity, said Dr. Omar Chohan, associate professor of neurosurgery. “The device is programmed to recognize each patient’s unique brain activity. Within milliseconds of unusual brainwave patterns, brief pulses of electrical stimulation are sent to regulate them.” 

Data from the neurostimulator can be collected and reviewed by neurologists to monitor a patient’s condition. Programming adjustments based on the detailed data collected means that the device can become more effective over time. 

Epilepsy affects about 3.4 million Americans, but about 1.2 million of them have epilepsy that’s medically resistant. Medically resistant epilepsy patients face challenges including increased risks of injury and death. 

At UMMC, a Level IV epilepsy center, Vann has more than 100 professionals in her corner. Selioutski said Vann’s RNS surgery and continuing care would not be possible without the team of experts, including epilepsy care providers, EEG technicians, a neuropsychologist, neuroradiologists, neurosurgeons, a critical care team, nurses and others. 

“Without this dedicated team, such advances in medical care would not be possible,” she said. “This level of care is only possible in specialized academic medical centers, such as UMMC.”  

Dr. Alissa Willis, chair of neurology at UMMC, said that, until recently, patients like Vann would need to leave Mississippi not only for RNS surgery but also for the ongoing management of the device. 

“We now have all the components at UMMC to take care of these patients close to home,” Willis said. “Excellence in epilepsy care requires a huge team working together, and I’m proud of what our team is doing to change and save the lives of people living with severe epilepsy.” 

Dr. Chad Washington, chair of the neurosurgery, said UMMC’s broad team of experts make such surgeries possible. 

“The skills of our entire team, from technologists to neurosurgery nurses and surgeons, make this level of neurosurgery care a success and help our patients to live fuller, healthier lives.”  


 

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

If you have a loved one suffering from epilepsy, consider a strict ketogenic diet to control the episodes. It doesn't work for everyone but it has been a life changer for those who it does help.

https://www.epilepsy.com/treatment/dietary-therapies/ketogenic-diet#Who-will-it-help?

Anonymous said...

I had two serious and two mild seizures twenty years ago. Dr. Ruth Fredricks, a brilliant Jackson neurologist, put me on Carbamazapine and said as long as I stayed on my daily medication, I would never have another seizure. Mostly she has been proved true, though I have to be careful to avoid strobe lights and bright lights, such as sun reflecting intensely off water and glass, which can make me a little dizzy.

Anonymous said...

This story warms my heart.

JimAtTheRez said...

Anything that makes the lives of these patients better is a good thing.


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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


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Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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