EEC 2022 | Optimizing DBS of the anterior nucleus of the thalamus in epilepsy

Jukka Peltola, MD, PhD, University Hospital of Tampere, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland, shares insights on the use of deep brain stimulation of the anterior nucleus of the thalamus (ANT-DBS) in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. The dawn on neuromodulation in epilepsy has significantly changed the treatment landscape for the 30% of patients with epilepsy who so not respond to anti-seizure medications. Trials of ANT-DBS have demonstrated favorable safety and clinical efficacy, leading to its approval in Europe and the United States in 2010 and 2018, respectively. The pivotal SANTE (Stimulation of Anterior Nucleus of the Thalamus for Epilepsy; NCT00101933) study was the first trial of ANT-DBS, demonstrating a significant reduction in seizure frequency in a treatment resistant population and sustained efficacy and safety in a long-term follow up. Dr Peltola comments on the continued evolution of technology in this space, notably the introduction on the Percept™ PC device: the first DBS system capable of in vivo brain sensing, allowing recording of local field potentials while delivering electrical stimulation. Further investigation is needed to illustrate the clinical value of using sensing to optimize DBS therapy. This interview took place at the 14th European Epilepsy Congress (EEC) 2022 in Geneva, Switzerland.