13-Year-Old UK Boy Gets World's First Epilepsy Device Fitted in Skull

Oran Knowlson, a 13-year-old boy from England with severe epilepsy, has made medical history as the first person in the world to trial a groundbreaking new device fitted in his skull to control seizures. 

The innovative surgery, conducted at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, has significantly improved Oran's quality of life by reducing his seizures by 80%.

Oran suffers from Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, a treatment-resistant form of epilepsy that had left him experiencing frequent and debilitating seizures. 

In October 2023, he underwent the pioneering surgery where a Picostim neurostimulator was implanted into his skull. 

This device, created by UK company Amber Therapeutics, sends electrical signals deep into the brain to disrupt the abnormal signals that trigger seizures.

The eight-hour surgery was part of a clinical trial at Great Ormond Street Hospital, in partnership with University College London, King's College Hospital, and Oxford University. 

According to Martin Tisdall, the consultant pediatric neurosurgeon leading the team, the device is particularly beneficial for children because it is implanted in the skull rather than the chest, reducing potential complications.

Following a month of recovery, Oran's neurostimulator was activated. 

The device, which is both painless and wirelessly rechargeable through headphones, has had a profound impact on Oran's condition. 

His mother, Justine, reported to the BBC that Oran is now more alert, experiences no drop seizures during the day, and has shorter, less severe nighttime seizures. 

She described the surgery as life-changing, making Oran "happier" and more engaged.

The success of Oran's treatment marks a significant advancement in epilepsy care. 

The trial, known as the Children's Adaptive Deep Brain Stimulation for Epilepsy Trial (CADET), will now expand to include three more children with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, with the goal of recruiting a total of 22 participants. 

The next phase of the trial aims to make the neurostimulator responsive to real-time changes in brain activity, potentially blocking seizures as they are about to occur.

Martin Tisdall expressed his excitement about the potential of this new treatment, stating that deep brain stimulation could become a standard treatment for severe epilepsy in the future. 

He emphasized the significance of this advancement, noting that it brings hope for stopping epileptic seizures in patients with limited effective treatment options.

The success of Oran's treatment not only brings hope to his family but also to many others affected by severe epilepsy. 

While the treatment is not a cure, it represents a significant step forward in epilepsy management. 

Additionally, the Picostim neurostimulator holds promise for treating other neurological disorders, with potential applications already seen in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Oran Knowlson's story is a testament to the transformative power of medical innovation. 

His journey brings hope to countless families dealing with severe epilepsy and highlights the potential for new technologies to change lives. 

As the CADET trial continues, there is optimism that this pioneering treatment will become widely available, offering a new lease on life to many more patients.