Nov. 25, 2025
Mayo Clinic is studying a potential new treatment for children and adults with generalized epilepsy. The work involves testing a neurostimulation approach developed at Mayo Clinic. Neurostimulation has proved effective for the treatment of medication-resistant focal epilepsy. But to date, no neuromodulation device has been approved for generalized epilepsy — leaving many patients, particularly those who do not respond to medication, without effective options.
"This research provides hope of a permanent, effective therapy for the millions of children, teens and adults living with generalized epilepsy," says Gregory A. Worrell, M.D., Ph.D., a neurologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
About one-fourth of people with generalized epilepsy don't respond to medication. Mayo Clinic researchers hope that patients treated with the neurostimulation device will have at least an 80% reduction in seizures. "For a child whose seizures are cut by 80%, the impact by high school or college could be profound," Dr. Worrell says.
Beyond seizure control, the neurostimulation device also targets symptoms such as cognitive decline, mood disorders and sleep disruption.
The research focuses on patients ages 7 to adult with uncontrollable seizures. The new device uses technology similar to existing neurostimulation therapies to deliver small, precise pulses aimed at controlling brain activity. Remote monitoring allows stimulation to be adjusted to an individual patient's needs.
Mayo Clinic is committed to translational research that accelerates the discovery of treatments for patients. Led by Dr. Worrell, the Mayo Clinic Bioelectronics Neurophysiology and Engineering Laboratory explores many facets of epilepsy, including therapeutic brain stimulation.
"This new neurostimulation device could transform the way we treat people with epilepsy, while significantly improving their independence and quality of life," Dr. Worrell says.
For more information
Bioelectronics Neurophysiology and Engineering Laboratory: Gregory A. Worrell. Mayo Clinic.
Refer a patient to Mayo Clinic.