Controlling Seizures with Technology: Researchers Are Working to Predict and Prevent Epileptic Seizures Before They Happen.

Mike McKenna was tired of epilepsy controlling his life. For years, he tried different medications and therapies to no avail; his seizures, which occurred every three to six days, dictated what he could do and where he could live. Then, about ten years ago, he joined a clinical trial for a new, implantable medical device from a company called NeuroPace. The RNS System monitors brain activity, detects patterns that indicate an imminent seizure, and responds by sending brief electrical pulses to disrupt the abnormal brain activity, stopping seizures in their tracks.