A GROUNDBREAKING study presented at the American Epilepsy Society Annual Meeting highlights the potential of low-intensity focused ultrasound (LOFU) as a non-invasive treatment for temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). With up to a third of TLE patients resistant to medication and 60% unable to undergo surgery due to risks, this technique offers new hope for managing and even preventing seizures.
LOFU uses sound waves to alter brain cell activity without damaging surrounding tissue. Unlike high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), which ablates tissue, LOFU’s non-thermal approach makes it a safer option for repeated and precise treatments. By calming overactive neurons or stimulating inactive ones, LOFU has the potential to address not only epilepsy but also other neurological conditions such as chronic pain and depression.
Researchers from the University of Maryland School of Medicine tested LOFU on rats injected with kainic acid (KA) to simulate the development of seizures. The rats that received LOFU treatment 48 hours after the injection displayed significantly fewer seizures and less aggressive behavior compared to untreated rats. After eight weeks, treated rats experienced less than one seizure on average, while untreated rats had an average of four. These findings suggest that LOFU may not only reduce seizure frequency but also prevent them from occurring altogether.
“This research could transform the way we manage epilepsy,” said Dr. Sandesh Kamdi, the study’s lead author and a postdoctoral fellow in neurosurgery. “LOFU could provide a safe, effective, and non-invasive option for individuals at risk of developing TLE, such as those with a genetic predisposition or a history of traumatic brain injury.”
As the research advances, the team plans to explore LOFU’s preventative effects using additional animal models of brain injury. The goal is to gather preclinical data to support clinical trials at the University of Maryland and Shock Trauma Center. These trials aim to move epilepsy care toward early intervention strategies, reducing the burden of this debilitating condition.
Reference
American Epilepsy Society. Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Treatment Holds Promise as Non-Invasive Treatment for Common Epilepsy, Suggests Early Research. 2024. Available at: https://aesnet.org/about/aes-press-room/press-releases/low-intensity-focused-ultrasound-treatment-holds-promise-as–non-invasive-treatment-for-common-epilepsy–suggests-early-research. Last accessed: 12th December 2024.
Aleksandra Zurowska | AMJ
