A London teenager has become one of the first patients in the world to receive pioneering neurosurgery that will allow doctors to access real-time data from the brain.
Sean Igbokwe, 14, from Mitcham, was the first patient to have the new rechargeable device fitted at Evelina London Children’s Hospital.
Sean has cerebral palsy which causes uncontrolled muscular movements or spasms, known as dystonia. His condition means that he can only move using a wheelchair.
Doctors hope that brain stimulation will relieve some of the stiffness that cause his discomfort and limited mobility.
The new device will also mean that Sean will no longer need to have repeated operations.
The surgeons used a technique called deep brain stimulation, which involves fine electrodes being implanted deep into the brain to target areas that control body movement.
Doctors receive real-time data from Sean’s brain, allowing them to tweak his treatment by sending different signals to the electrodes.
In previously implanted devices, the battery would need to be replaced after 4 to 5 years, resulting in further operations for a patient. The new device has unlimited lifespan.
Dr Jean Pierre Lin, consultant paediatric neurologist for the complex motor disorders service at Evelina, said the operation was “hugely exciting”.
“For the first time, we’ll have access to real-time data from brains to guide us towards the best deep brain stimulation patterns appropriate to each case. We will be better able to understand a patient’s symptoms and can program the device in a more targeted way to control muscle movement, helping to ease symptoms quicker.”
Sean’s mother Mandah said it would help her son to aim for a “more fulfilled future”.
“As parents we would like him to be as independent as possible, living a full happy life and experience pain free movement. His tenacity and bravery has held him in a good stead until now; as he moves into adulthood, our wish for him is to be able to do simple things in life, things most of us take for granted like holding a glass of water or playing with siblings.”
Evelina London’s deep brain stimulation programme began in 2003 and received funding from Guy’s & St Thomas’ Charity to expand, treating over 250 patients to date.
Many patients who have undergone the procedure have progressed to learning to drive, education and employment.
