Long-Term Efficacy of DBS Therapy Persists in Very Refractory Epilepsy Patients

Seizure reduction and responder rate found to improve significantly through 5-years stimulation in SANTE trial

Newswise — San Diego, December 2, 2012 – The long-term benefits of deep brain stimulation (DBS) for epilepsy in the SANTE trial (Stimulation of the Anterior Nucleus of Thalamus for Epilepsy) were reported today during the 66th annual scientific meeting of the American Epilepsy Society (AES). Of patients with at least five-years stimulation, more than two-thirds experienced sustained efficacy and continuous reduction in their seizures. All of the patients had a long history of epilepsy and had tried and failed most other epilepsy treatment options before entering the trial.

The SANTE trial is an ongoing prospective multicenter, double-blind randomized study of DBS in the treatment of partial-onset seizures. The five-year results were reported by Vicenta Salanova, M.D. FAAN, Professor of Neurology and Director of the Indiana University School of Medicine Comprehensive Epilepsy Program.

At five years the majority of patients (69%) had 50% or greater reduction in seizure frequency. (Abstract #1.272)

“In these very refractory patients, there was a significant reduction in seizure frequency and severity with a median percent reduction in seizure frequency of 69% at five years,” said Dr. Salanova. “And continued improvement in quality of life measures, as well. Over the entire study 16% of patients were seizure free for at least 6 months. No unanticipated adverse device effects were observed, and there were no symptomatic intracranial hemorrhages. Based on the SANTE trial DBS therapy for medically refractory partial and secondarily generalized seizures has been approved in Europe and Canada, but remains investigational in the United States.”

About the American Epilepsy SocietyThe American Epilepsy Society, based in West Hartford, CT, seeks to advance and improve the treatment of epilepsy through the promotion of research and education for healthcare professionals. Society membership includes epileptologists and other medical and allied healthcare professionals, and scientists concerned with the care of people who have seizures and epilepsy.

Editors Note: Authors of this study will be available at a press briefing at 9:00 am (PDT), Sunday, December 2, 2012, in the onsite press room, Room 1A, Level 3 of the San Diego Convention Center. The call-in number for off-site journalists is 1-866-740-1260, passcode 5867509#.

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