The first patient to receive surgery to treat her epileptic seizures thanked the doctors at UK who she says have changed her life.
The device is called the Neuropace RNS system and this past November, a neurosurgery team at UK led by Dr. Craig Van Horne implanted it on to Cheryl Castle’s brain to lessen her epileptic seizures. It continuously monitors electrical activity, detects abnormalities and delivers electrical stimulation to treat oncoming seizures.
Dr. Van Horne said it’s similar to a pacemaker. Before getting the implant, Cheryl Castle had daily crippling seizures for nearly two decades of her life. On one occasion she had 42 seizures in 3-hours time. Now, just two months post-op, she says her condition is becoming manageable. “My speech has improved, my balance is better and I have a lot more energy. My seizures aren’t as intense as they used to be.”
The Neurospace RNS system also keeps a record of Castles seizures and the amount of stimulation given to correct them. Doctors say the data helps them pinpoint the areas of the brain that are being affected and helps to improve treatment.