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The grant from the National Institutes of Health will fund a program to develop the next generation of devices
Hai Sun
Researchers from Rutgers Health and other institutions were awarded a grant for $2.8 million over the course of three years from the National Institutes of Health to improve implantable devices for epileptic patients.
The grant will fund a program to develop the next generation of responsive neurostimulation devices that can be implanted in the brains of people affected with severe epileptic seizures to reduce or eliminate their occurrence.
The researchers said an existing device is effective in reducing seizure frequency among patients, however, it eliminates seizures in 15% to 20% percent of them.
“We are excited to initiate a promising project focused on developing a new treatment option for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy,” said Hai Sun, vice chair of clinical affairs and associate professor of neurosurgery in the Department of Neurosurgery at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and chief of Neurosurgery at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, an RWJBarnabas health facility. “Our goal is to design and implement a new generation of devices that are equipped with a better seizure prediction algorithm and can stimulate larger areas of the brain where seizures initiate. We plan to bring this device to market, in the next five years.”In addition to Rutgers’ researchers, the study team includes interdisciplinary scientists in the field of AI and neuroscience from Stevens Institute of Technology and physician-scientists from Emory School of Medicine. The Stevens team will focus on developing computer algorithms and models for the project.
“I’m excited about this grant because it supports the development of a new seizure control device, which could offer a transformative treatment for patients with drug-resistant mesial temporal lobe epilepsy,” said Feng Liu, an assistant professor at Stevens’ Charles V. Schaefer Jr. School of Engineering and Science. “We look forward to working with the great team led by Dr. Hai Sun, comprised of neurosurgeons, epileptologists, artificial intelligence researchers and industry partners, to move this field forward.”
Emory epileptologist Ezequiel Gleichgerrcht said this study is laying the groundwork for innovative and minimally invasive neuromodulatory technologies aimed at improving seizure control and quality of life.
“Our goal is to stop seizures at their earliest stages, ideally before they have a chance to spread,” said Gleichgerrcht, assistant professor of neurology at Emory University School of Medicine. “By applying advanced brain network modeling to real-world patient data, we aim to translate this breakthrough technology from animal models into a device that could transform care for people living with drug-resistant epilepsy.” He adds, “We’re excited to partner with Dr. Sun’s team to help move this innovation from the bench to the bedside.”
About RWJBarnabas Health
RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive academic health system, caring for more than five million people annually. Nationally renowned for quality and safety, the system includes 14 hospitals and 9,000 affiliated physicians integrated to provide care at more than 700 patient care locations.
RWJBarnabas Health partners with its diverse communities to build and sustain a healthier New Jersey. It provides patient-centered care in a compassionate and equitable manner and is the state’s largest safety-net provider and leader in addressing the social determinants of health. RWJBarnabas Health provides food to the hungry, housing for the homeless and economic opportunities to those most vulnerable.
RWJBarnabas Health’s commitment to enhancing access to care includes a transformative partnership with Rutgers University, including the Rutgers Cancer Institute — the state’s only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
RWJBarnabas Health is among New Jersey’s largest private employers, with more than 44,000 employees, contributing more than $5.5 billion to the state economy every year. For more information, visit www.RWJBH.org
