우리 학과는 Healthcare/Brain+ C-Network 사업의 일환으로 5월 20일 성균관의대 삼성서울병원 신경과의 손영민 교수를 초청  (organizer: 이상아 교수)  하여 Inspiring talk를 개최하였습니다.

이번강의는 Webinar 형식으로 진행되었으며, “Neuromodulation for Epilepsy Treatment: Now & Future Perspectives” 의 제목으로 진행된 강연에서는 뇌심부자극을 통한 약물내성 간질치료에 대한 논의가 진행되었으며, 이를 통해 뇌과학 메커니즘을 활용한 뇌질환 치료분야에서 뇌심부자극술을 최적화 시키기 위한 임상 과 동물 연구에 대한 최신의 접근 방식을 소개하였습니다. 또한 초청 석학과 연구자들, 학생들 간의 개별 미팅을 통해 학교와 병원간 연구 협력 활동을 강화할 수 있었으며, 우리나라 최고 수준의 연구 기관과의 상호 협력 네트워크를 통해 계속적인 교류를 논의할 수 있는 기회를 마련하였습니다. 

Abstract: 

Neuromodulation-based treatments have become increasingly important in epilepsy treatment. Most patients with epilepsy treated with neuromodulation do not achieve complete seizure freedom, and, therefore, previous studies of neuromodulation studies including deep brain stimulation (DBS), vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), and responsive neurostimulation (RNS) therapy have focused instead on reduction of seizure frequency as a measure of treatment response. These invasive, electrical brain stimulation methods may exert a therapeutic control on seizure generators or correspond to ictal onset zone themselves. At this talk, the mechanisms of action, safety, and efficacy of VNS & DBS in epilepsy are reviewed, and the key advantages and disadvantages of each are discussed. Even though these neuromodulation therapies influence neuronal networks with widespread influences as revealed by physiological and imaging studies, we still do not elucidate the exact mechanisms of them.

Despite all these progresses in neurostimulation therapy, the present technologies used are a long way behind what would be considered state of the art in the 21st century; this is true for the way EEG signals are picked up, the miniaturization and processing power of the microprocessors used, storage capacities of devices, options for external readout of data and flexibility in terms of temporo-spatial stimulation patterns. If the unmet issues are resolved, the incessant pre-clinical & clinical investigations will induce an enormous change of therapeutic paradigm in epilepsy surgery. Lastly, I would like to shortly discuss the feasibility of non-invasive neuromodulation tools (tVNS, tUS) as a potential treatment for cognitive and mood disorders.