Clinical efficacy of deep brain stimulation for the treatment of medically refractory epilepsy

• DBS may be an effective alternative for patients with intractable epilepsy.
• Several targets for stimulation have been studied with good efficacy.
• DBS for refractory epilepsy is safe with minimal complications.

Epilepsy affects 50 million people worldwide and about 30% of these patients will not be adequately controlled with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) alone. For patients where resective surgery is not indicated, deep brain stimulation (DBS) may be an effective alternative. The majority of available literature targets the thalamic nuclei (anterior; centromedian), subthalamic nucleus, hippocampus, and cerebellum. Here, we review patient outcomes and adverse events related to DBS to these various targets. Data show DBS may be a safe and effective treatment option for refractory epilepsy.