Personalized Epilepsy Treatment Via Brain Wave Mapping

A new, personalized approach to deep brain stimulation is giving hope to patients suffering from drug-resistant epilepsy.

Mayo Clinic researchers have discovered that mapping each patient’s unique brain wave patterns allows physicians to target precise brain areas where stimulation is most effective, in effect moving beyond the traditional one-size-fits-all approach.

DBS involves implanting electrodes in the brain to deliver electrical pulses that help prevent and control seizures. While effective, DBS is typically administered with electrodes placed in the same brain region within most patients. Mayo Clinic physician-scientists, however, are now tailoring the treatment to an individual’s seizure network before DBS placement.

“Our unique approach aims to tailor neuromodulation for each patient,” said Nick Gregg, M.D., a Mayo Clinic neurologist and lead author of a paper published in the Annals of Neurology. “We’re moving away from one-size-fits-all to an individualized approach that maximizes seizure network engagement to better modulate abnormal brain wave activity.”

Once researchers identify the specific area in the thalamus—a small relay hub deep within the brain—that connects to a patient’s seizure network, they can fine-tune stimulation settings for that individual. Because seizures occur infrequently, clinicians analyze erratic brain wave patterns that signal abnormal activity.

“We’re trying to disrupt the pathological hypersynchrony and reduce network excitability to lower seizure risk,” Dr. Gregg noted.

Ten patients received this personalized approach while being evaluated for epilepsy surgery. The next phase of research will follow those who have since received permanent DBS implants using this personalized approach.

This research is part of Mayo Clinic’s Bioelectronic Neuromodulation Innovation to Cure (BIONIC) initiative, which unites clinical insight with cutting-edge engineering to deliver novel diagnostics and therapies. Through intellectual property development, strategic partnerships and patient-centered trials, BIONIC transforms innovation into impact—advancing care for complex neurological conditions.

Dr. Gregg’s research was supported by the Tianqiao & Chrissy Chen Institute.

Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing.