Hippocampal stimulation in the treatment of epilepsy

Neurosurg Clin N Am. 2011 Oct;22(4):465-75, vi. doi: 10.1016/j.nec.2011.07.008.

Abstract

Neuromodulation is one of the fastest growing fields in neurosurgery, as reflected by the growing interest in the use of electrical brain stimulation (EBS) to treat drug-resistant epilepsy, pain, and movement disorders. Hippocampal stimulation should be regarded as an experimental therapy for epilepsy, and patients considered for this intervention should do so in the context of a well-designed randomized controlled trial. Only well-conducted, blinded, randomized trials, followed by long-term systematic observation will yield a clear picture of the effect of this promising therapy, and will help guide its future use. This article provides a critical review of the best available evidence on hippocampal stimulation for epilepsy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anterior Temporal Lobectomy / adverse effects
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Deep Brain Stimulation / instrumentation
  • Deep Brain Stimulation / methods*
  • Electrodes, Implanted / standards
  • Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / physiopathology*
  • Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / therapy*
  • Hippocampus / physiopathology*
  • Hippocampus / surgery*
  • Humans