Effects of Therapeutic Stimulation of Nucleus caudatus on Epileptic Electrical Activity of Brain in Patients with Intractable Epilepsy

Abstract

The effects of electrostimulation of caput nuclei caudati (CNC) were investigated in 57 patients. Long-term implanted multicontact electrodes were used in 38 patients. In 23 cases, completely implanted neurostimulators and in the remaining 15 cases externalized electrodes were used. Investigations demonstrated that a low-frequency (4-6 Hz) stimulation of certain points of the ventral part of CNC reliably led to (1) a decrease of interparoxysmal activity in the neocortical and mesial temporal epileptic foci; (2) a decrease of focal discharges in the aforementioned areas, and (3) abrupt cessation of spreading and generalized discharge.