Epilepsy and the NeuroPace RNS System | Michael Francis’ Story

Michael, a law enforcement agent in Houston, Texas, has dealt with seizures all his life. As the first step in treating almost any chronic condition, Michael’s doctor prescribed medication to reduce his seizure activity and keep his epilepsy under control. While Michael initially saw an improvement in the frequency and duration of his seizures, they quickly returned with full force. When increasing his dosage didn’t work, Michael’s doctor tried another medication, only to find the same results.

Hoping for a solution that could help him get back to the life he loved, Michael turned to the doctors at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center. After reviewing Michael’s history of drug-resistant epilepsy, Dr. Sameer Sheth knew the NeuroPace RNS System had the potential to help Michael heal. This technology works similarly to a pacemaker – a small device is implanted in the chest, and it is connected to electrodes placed in specific locations in the brain. These electrodes gather data about seizure patterns, which doctors can review and use to develop custom treatments. The electrodes then deliver stimulation to these specific regions to stop seizures in their tracks.

With the power of deep brain stimulation and a single medication, Michael has been seizure-free since March 17, 2017.

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