A groundbreaking brain device implant has significantly reduced seizures in a UK teenager with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy. The device, placed directly in the skull, delivers electrical stimulation to disrupt the abnormal brain activity that triggers seizures. This success marks a potential turning point in the treatment of severe epilepsy, offering hope for countless individuals battling this debilitating condition.
Tracy Dixon-Salazar’s daughter, Savannah, was diagnosed with epilepsy as a child, but her seizures became severe and frequent. Faced with limited answers from doctors, Dixon-Salazar returned to school and earned a Ph.D. in neurobiology. Through her research, she discovered that a calcium channel mutation was causing Savannah’s seizures and found a treatment that reduced them by 95%. Dixon-Salazar now advocates for families affected by Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, highlighting the challenges of caregiving and the importance of support.
