Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by sudden recurrent episodes of sensory disturbance or seizures. The episodes can lead to loss of consciousness and, most commonly, convulsions due to the abnormal electrical activity in the brain. A search for a cure for epilepsy has yet to be found; however, research has given us medications and other remedies to combat this disorder. The downfall of using medication to help epileptics is that the medication is not 100% accurate or effective thus, if the wrong medication is given, the side effects may be worse than the disorder itself. In Scientific American, an article published by Megan Thielking in March of 2018 discusses an alternative way to diagnose and treat epileptics with a machine that similarly resembles a bike helmet.
Scientists doing research at the University College of London created a prototype of a magnetoencephalography (MEG) that is easier to use and lighter in weight. The goal is that they will help to determine how to treat those with epilepsy. The machine works by monitoring the magnetic field created when neurons send signals and “talk” with each other. This will not only allow physicians, psychiatrists, and specialists to see how the brain functions across time frames but it will also help them to identify the source of seizures as well as nearby areas that are critical to the brain and need to be avoided during surgery. This new MEG machine will not only give insight on those epileptic disorders but other neurological conditions as well.
The conventional MEG machines are very sensitive to movement and are very large. They need to be kept in temperature controlled rooms and those getting their brain scanned need to stay absolutely still as any sudden movement can cause a blur in the scan picture. It also comes in only one size and makes scanning children difficult as having the scanner as close as possible to the patient's head is necessary to be able to see the images. The new MEG scanner will be an improvement from the old one. The new MEG fits more like a helmet and will sit close to the scalp. It is able to work at room temperature and, to avoid Earth’s magnetic field interference, magnetic coils are placed on the walls of the scanning room thus making it more lightweight than the previous scanner. This new scanner would also be more accessible as well as give a clearer picture due to the proximity of the scanner and the scalp.
The downside of this machine is that is still a bit bulky, though not as bulky as the conventional MEG, and there still might be difficulties putting it on young children who cannot sit still or those with movement/motor disorders. However, this new prototype is a step in the right direction as the researchers and scientists hope to get the new machine down to an even smaller size. They also hope to make the scanner look more friendly than the mask shape the current prototype has. These improvements would allow for easier use for children and adults.
Another upside to this new technology is that it draws the treatment for epilepsy away from medications that are not 100% effective. By creating a machine that helps determine how to treat those with epilepsy more clearly, it eliminates the guess and check method of putting people on medication that is not guaranteed to work. Not only would this new MEG machine help epileptics but also those with other neurological disorders, it would open up the door and allow physicians and specialists to see a clearer picture of what is actually happening in the brain of their patients thus making their diagnosis and treatment suggestions more accurate. With the growing technology, the clearer a the picture of a brain is, the more we know where exactly the problem is. Thus the more accurate treatment can be prescribed. This leads the Medical world in a whole new direction rather than just medication prescriptions.
I definitely think that innovations like this are very interesting and have the possibility to benefit many patients. It is my belief that most patients (and parents of patients) would rather have an MEG than have to take medication. My question is how often do patients have to come in for this procedure and how long does it take? It said in the article that patients have to stay very still or else the images become blurry, so I wonder if very small children are excluded from this or if they are put to sleep. Another point of concern is the shape of the machine and how it almost completely covers a patient's face (which was mentioned in the article as an area of improvement).
ReplyDeleteThe fact that different non-invasive technologies for helping determine functioning in the brain are being developed is awesome. The piece of equipment may be bulky but the upsides of more specific localization and child-friendlier use definitely outweigh the one "flaw" that I'm sure will soon enough no longer be an issue. Many people that are afflicted with epilepsy have a difficult time finding a treatment that helps reduce their debilitating symptoms. Having a piece of equipment that not only helps pinpoint what may be causing it better, the potential of reducing medication use or better adapting the medicine used brings a lot of hope to not only current patients but for the future of epilepsy treatment or any brain damage patients and their treatment. Like the comment above I too am curious of how they get a clear image or does it have the same principles as motion in an MRI or CT scan? Also how long does it take to get an image? CT scans take far less than MRIs so which does it land closer to?
ReplyDeleteIt is so interesting to see that methods and processes of scanning technology are always advancing. Although there are some downsides at the moment, in the future it is almost certain that they will be eliminated which is so cool to think about. This seems like a much better approach then guessing and checking with medicine. Is it more cost effective than other scanning measures? This definitely seems like a step in the right direction to treat epileptic patients and is very exciting.
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