About

• Epilepsy is a condition that leads to recurring seizures.
• It causes a person to experience jerking of arms and legs, temporary confusion, staring spells, or stiff muscles. It is caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
• It can increase the risk of accidents, drownings, and falling.
• According to a 2022 Lancet study, in India between 3 and 11.9 per 1,000 people suffer from epilepsy.

Causes

• The disease has no identifiable cause in nearly 50% of the cases. 
• However, head trauma, tumours in the brain, some infections like meningitis, or even genetics can lead to epilepsy. 

Why in news?

• A UK-based teenager has become the first person in the world to be fitted with a brain implant to help bring his epileptic seizures under control.

How does the device work?

• The implant uses a Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) device. It is a device which sends electrical signals deep into the brain. 
• The neurostimulator delivers constant electrical impulses to the brain to disrupt or block abnormal seizure-causing signals.
• It can be recharged by a wireless headphone.