Pioneering DBS Device Reduces Seizures in Teenager

Breakthrough in Pediatric Epilepsy Treatment: Picostim DyNeuMo Shows Promising Results

A 13-year-old patient with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome experienced an 80% reduction in daytime seizures after using the Picostim DyNeuMo system, a deep brain stimulation (DBS) device. The teenager, Oran, was the first participant in the Children's Adaptive Deep brain stimulation for Epilepsy Trial (CADET) at University College London, which uses Amber Therapeutics' Picostim device. Implanted at Great Ormond Street Hospital in October 2023, the Picostim is unique as it mounts on the skull, making it more suitable for growing children and reducing the need for frequent replacements. The CADET pilot, funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering, will recruit three more patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, aiming to include 22 patients in the full trial, supported by GOSH Charity and LifeArc. The Picostim DyNeuMo platform was developed by Bioinduction and later acquired by Amber Therapeutics in September 2023. Martin Tisdall, honorary associate professor at UCL, expressed optimism about DBS becoming a standard treatment for pediatric epilepsy. Additionally, the neuromodulation devices market in the UK is projected to reach $234 million by 2030, according to GlobalData.

Key Takeaways

• 13-year-old with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome reduced daytime seizures by 80% with Picostim DyNeuMo system.
• Picostim, a skull-mounted DBS device, is designed for growing children, reducing wire breakage and erosion.
• CADET pilot, funded by Royal Academy of Engineering, aims to recruit 22 patients for full trial.
• Amber Therapeutics acquired Bioinduction in 2023, inheriting the Picostim DyNeuMo neuromodulation therapy platform.
• UCL's Martin Tisdall anticipates DBS becoming a standard treatment for pediatric epilepsy.

Analysis

The successful reduction of seizures in a pediatric patient using the Picostim DyNeuMo system signals potential disruption in epilepsy treatment. This skull-mounted DBS device, suitable for growing children, could minimize invasive surgeries and reduce healthcare costs. Amber Therapeutics, having acquired Bioinduction, stands to benefit from market expansion in neuromodulation devices, projected to reach $234 million in the UK by 2030. The CADET trial's success could establish DBS as a standard pediatric epilepsy treatment, influencing healthcare policies and market dynamics. This development may also attract further investment in neuromodulation research, impacting the medical device industry and patient care.

Did You Know?

• Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome: A severe form of epilepsy characterized by multiple types of seizures, often beginning in childhood. It is notoriously difficult to treat and can lead to cognitive and behavioral issues.
• Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS): A surgical treatment involving the implantation of a device that sends electrical signals to specific parts of the brain to manage neurological symptoms like those in movement disorders or epilepsy.
• Neuromodulation Devices Market: Refers to the industry focused on devices that modulate neural activity through targeted delivery of electrical or pharmaceutical agents directly to the nervous system. This market includes devices like DBS systems and is driven by advancements in neurotechnology and increasing demand for non-pharmacological treatments for neurological disorders.