Background: Drug-resistant juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (DR-JME) remains a significant challenge in neurology. Traditional management strategies often fail to achieve satisfactory control, necessitating innovative treatments.
Objective: This case report aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of deep brain stimulation (DBS) targeting the subthalamic nucleus (STN-DBS) in a patient with DR-JME.
Methods: We describe the treatment of a patient with DR-JME using STN-DBS. The patient underwent implantation and received high-frequency stimulation (HFS) at the STN.
Results: One year post-implantation, the patient demonstrated a substantial reduction in motor seizure frequency by 87.5%, with improvements in quality of life and seizure severity by 52.0% and 46.7%, respectively. No adverse events were reported during the follow-up period.
Conclusions: This case represents the first report of favorable outcomes with STN-DBS in a patient with DR-JME, suggesting that long-term HFS of the STN may be a promising treatment option for patients suffering from this condition.
Keywords: Deep brain stimulation; Drug resistant juvenile myoclonic epilepsy; Epilepsy surgery; Motor seizure; Subthalamic nucleus.
© 2024. Fondazione Società Italiana di Neurologia.