As one of the first two participants in the country to undergo a new type of brain cell therapy procedure to treat an intractable form of epilepsy, the 59-year-old Portlander has been almost seizure-free since she underwent the experimental procedure on Oct. 26 at Oregon Health & Science University.
Previously, she endured about 14 seizures a month with no relief from medication.
The procedure involves injecting inhibitory nerve cells, called interneurons, into a precisely defined focal point in the brain to quell seizures. Known as NRTX-1001 neuronal cell therapy, the surgeon injects high-purity inhibitory neurons — derived from human stem cells — into the brain.
This new intervention was first established in animal models, including nonhuman primates at OHSU’s Oregon National Primate Research Center. Burchiel said it will take more time and more patients to know whether the procedure is truly effective, but in the meantime, he is gratified that Adkins has found some relief.
ارسال به دوستان