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Can Algae Help Cure Epilepsy? Brain implants covered in the plant could offer hope for drug-resistant forms of the condition, a landmark study finds
- The project could help more than a third of people who are resistant to drug treatments
Using algae-coated brain implants could be a cure for a common form of epilepsy, scientists say.
The groundbreaking UK project offers hope to nearly a third of people resistant to drug treatments for the neurological condition, which is characterized by recurrent seizures.
Neural probes — electrodes covered in algae implanted in brain tissue — may provide more effective treatment in these patients, researchers have found.
The probes are used to pinpoint the exact location in the patient’s brain where the seizures are coming from.
The mapping data from the probes is then used when neurosurgery is performed to control seizures.
Using algae-coated brain implants could be a cure for a common form of epilepsy, scientists say (stock image of algae)
Recent animal testing suggests the innovations could serve as a possible cure, scientists say
Scientists hope that in the future the naturally dissolving implants could help treat epilepsy and other serious neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.
“The tests we performed show some promising results for creating coatings for flexible neural probes that can safely guide them to their targets in the brain,” said researcher Maria Cerezo Sanchez of the University of Glasgow.
“It’s an exciting step forward and we continue to explore the potential of these materials for use in neural implantation procedures.”
The researchers say the probes could help regulate temporal lobe epilepsy in patients. The project is part of a European collaboration called Hermes, which aims to tackle the condition by treating and regenerating damaged brain tissue.
Recent animal trials suggest the innovations could serve as a possible cure, scientists say.
Project leader Hadi Heidari said it was hoped the new implants would be ready for human trials by the end of the decade. Epilepsy Scotland CEO Lesslie Young said the breakthrough was a “promising development” and offered hope to the 30 per cent of epilepsy patients who are resistant to drug treatments.