A ground-breaking technology that could significantly reduce seizures for people with drug-resistant epilepsy, has been developed by IPIC, the SFI Research Centre for Photonics at Tyndall National Institute (UCC), and Synergia Medical, a Belgium-based preclinical medical device company.
The technology replaces electrically-conducting wires with non-conductive optical fibres and appropriate optoelectronics to stimulate the vagus nerve and improve patients’ quality of life and health outcomes. Vagus nerve stimulation applies electrical current pulses on a nerve originating deep in the brain, on a principle similar to pace-makers. This stimulation can reduce and stop epileptic seizures.
According to Epilepsy Ireland, more than 40,000 people in Ireland are affected by epilepsy, and one-third of them have drug-resistant epilepsy. Seizures can have a devastating impact on people’s lives, affecting their work, education, and social life.
The pioneering use of photonics to create a metal-free neurostimulator represents a major breakthrough in the treatment of epilepsy, due to its suitability for use in MRI systems without the adverse effects associated with metal wires. Using the MRI, the level of neuro-stimulation can be tailored to each individual’s requirements. This use of photonics will also ultimately pave the way for use in a range of further therapeutic applications including depression (FDA approved) and anxiety, while research is ongoing into vagus nerve stimulations applicability to chronic pain, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s.
PIONEERING TECHNOLOGY
Professor William Scanlon, CEO, Tyndall, said: “We are immensely proud that this pioneering technology has been developed by the IPIC team at Tyndall. Epilepsy is a condition that affects many families across Ireland. A member of my own household lives with drug-resistant epilepsy, and so I am acutely aware of the need for new approaches to reducing seizures. This technology has the potential to reduce, and in some cases stop, epileptic seizures, which will make an enormously positive impact on the lives of those who suffer from epilepsy, and for their families too.”
In January 2023, Synergia Medical announced the successful completion of an additional €3.8 million of Series B funding, bringing the total to €12.8 million. This allows Synergia Medical to prepare for First-In-Human clinical trials planned for 2024.
, and Synergia Medical, a Belgium-based preclinical medical device company.){kind=link}