Epilepsy treatment: First successful implantation of a new brain pacemaker in Austria

An innovative brain pacemaker for the treatment of focal epilepsy was successfully implanted for the first time in Austria at the University Hospital Vienna and MedUni Vienna at the beginning of August 2023. The novel treatment procedure is a promising option for epilepsy patients who continue to suffer from seizures despite optimal drug therapy. Under the leadership of Ekaterina Pataraia, Head of the Epilepsy Outpatient Clinic at the Department of Neurology, and Karl Rössler, Head of the Department of Neurosurgery at University Hospital Vienna and MedUni Vienna, the first patient in Austria was treated with the EASEE system at the beginning of August 2023. EASEE stands for "Epicranial Application of Stimulation Electrodes for Epilepsy" and is based on an innovative method of individualised brain stimulation. When the system is implanted, fine electrodes are placed precisely over the epileptic origin in the brain without having to open the skull bone or touch the brain tissue. The stimulation therapy aims to stabilise the overactive brain function in epilepsy and to interrupt potentially occurring seizures. "The thin platelet electrodes are not visible from the outside and ensure unrestricted freedom of movement for the patient.