Bid for epilepsy early warning system Scientists have developed a brain implant that could warn epileptic adults of impending seizures. SCIENTISTS have developed an early warning device that could dramatically improve the quality of life of epileptic adults, according to an Australian professor who tested the system. The small brain implant is designed to predict the onset of seizures in adults who have epilepsy that does not respond to treatment. Knowing when a seizure is likely to happen would help people avoid dangerous activities such as driving or swimming. It might also be possible for them to take fast-acting drugs to prevent the imminent seizure, says Professor Mark Cook from the University of Melbourne. The technology, developed by US company NeuroVista, detects abnormal electrical activity in the brain preceding a seizure. It uses electrodes implanted between the skull and brain surface which constantly monitor electrical activity. A handheld device calculates the probability of a seizure and uses coloured lights to indicate a patient's level of risk. More than 60 million people worldwide have epilepsy, and 30 to 40 per cent of these patients are unable get their seizures under control. Up to two per cent of Australians suffer recurrent seizures. Prof Cook's feasibility study included 15 people aged 20 to 62 with focal epilepsy. They had reported two to 12 seizures a month and had not had their seizures controlled despite use of at least two anti-epileptic drugs. Effectiveness ranged from 56 per cent to 100 per cent in eight of the 11 patients who trialled the system for four months. Three patients experienced serious side effects and two needed the device removed. Prof Cook is optimistic the technology will improve management strategies if his findings are replicated in larger studies. It could also lead to the development of methods to prevent seizures using direct electrical stimulation or fast-acting drugs. The study, published online in The Lancet Neurology, surprised the researchers by revealing disparities between reported and detected events. Most participants greatly underestimated their number of seizures. One patient who reported having 11 seizures a month actually had 102. Commenting on the study, Dr Christian Elger and Dr Florian Mormann from the University of Bonn Medical Centre in Germany say the results are a major milestone in the study of epilepsy.