A boy named Oran, who lives in Somerset, has Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy. At the age of 13, he became the first person in the world to try a new device implanted in his skull to control seizures. The device, called Picostim, sends electrical signals deep into his brain, reducing Oran’s seizures by 80%. His mother, Justine, shared that Oran is now happier and has a better quality of life.
The surgery took place at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London as part of the CADET project, which assesses deep brain stimulation for severe epilepsy. The device, inserted into Oran’s brain and anchored in his skull, stimulates specific parts of the brain to disrupt abnormal signals that trigger seizures.
Oran’s family is hopeful for the future, as the device has already shown significant improvements in his condition. The next phase of the trial aims to make the neurostimulator respond in real-time to prevent seizures, offering even more hope for Oran and his family.
Vocabulary List
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome /?l?n?ks??æsto? ?s?ndro?m/ (noun): A severe form of epilepsy. Seizures /?si???rz/ (noun): Sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbances in the brain. Implanted /?m?plænt?d/ (verb): Inserted surgically into the body. Stimulation /?st?mj??le???n/ (noun): The action of applying electrical signals to nerves. Neurostimulator /?n?ro??st?mj??le?t?r/ (noun): A device that sends electrical impulses to nerves.
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