There are numerous neurological disorders which involve the mesial temporal lobe structures of the brain, such as the hippocampus, amygdala and entorhinal cortex, but may not be adequately treated with pharmaceuticals. Minimally invasive surgical (MIS) techniques may offer a better option for treating these disorders, however, implanting or placement of the MIS tools rely on linear trajectories and manual navigation, limiting the ability to reach the required regions of the brain accurately and safely.
Drug-Resistant Epilepsy (DRE) affects a significant number of patients who do not respond adequately to conventional anti-epileptic drugs. Stereotactic Laser Ablation of the Hippocampus (SLAH) has emerged as a minimally invasive surgical option to target epileptic foci within the brain, particularly in cases of temporal lobe epilepsy.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a major mental health issue, particularly among veterans. Ineffectiveness of traditional PTSD treatments, like SSRIs and cognitive behavioral therapy, make treatment difficult for many patients. Neuromodulation techniques have been explored and have shown promise in addressing this treatment gap, however, there are surgical limitations and risks associated with electrode placement for precisely targeting the sub-nuclei of the amygdala, which is crucial to PTSD pathology.
Researchers at Arizona State University in collaboration with a researcher at Barrow Neurological have developed a novel approach to navigate MIS tools through complex brain structures with high accuracy and reduced risk to surrounding tissues. For DRE, it employs magnetic steering for precise targeting of epileptic foci within the hippocampus. For PTSD neuromodulation, it employs robotic 3D placement of electrodes, specifically targeting the amygdala with magnetic guidance.
These technologies aim to enhance the efficacy and safety of treatments for DRE and PTSD, addressing the limitations of current therapeutic approaches.
Potential Applications
- Neuromodulation devices for mental health applications
- Treatment of PTSD, particularly in veterans
- Neurosurgical interventions for DRE
- Placement of tools for MIS procedures
- Research tool for exploring neuromodulation effects on the amygdala and related mesial temporal lobe structures
Benefits and Advantages
- Superior targeting precision for electrode placement
- Reduction in the risk of collateral damage to surrounding brain tissue
- Innovative approach to PTSD treatment with the potential for improved patient outcomes
- Minimally invasive approach reduces patient recovery time and risk of complications
- Enhanced precision in targeting epileptic foci improves treatment outcomes
- Magnetic steering allows for non-linear navigation, reaching previously inaccessible areas of the brain
- Increases the potential applicability and success rates of SLAH in DRE treatment
For more information about the inventor(s) and their research, please see
