ArticleBMC medicine2025
Long-term efficacy of anterior nucleus of the thalamus deep brain stimulation in drug-resistant epilepsy: a 5-year multicenter study.
Article in BMC medicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed.
- Article
- A guide to neuromodulation in drug-resistant epilepsy.Epileptic disorders : international epilepsy journal with videotape · 2026Review
- Inpatient continuous thalamic stereo-electroencephalography stimulation in the evaluation of focal epilepsy: illustrative case.Journal of neurosurgery. Case lessons · 2026Article
- Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channels and epilepsy: genetics, circuits, and treatments.Frontiers in neurology · 2025Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
17 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundDeep brain stimulation (DBS) of the anterior nucleus of the thalamus (ANT-DBS) has demonstrated potential in reducing seizure frequency (SF) in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). This multicenter retrospective study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the long-term effects of ANT-DBS on seizure reduction and neuropsychological outcomes, as well as to identify prognostic factors associated with postoperative efficacy.
methodsWe retrospectively analyzed data from DRE patients who underwent ANT-DBS across three epilepsy centers between July 2019 and December 2022. SF, responder rate, neuropsychological outcomes, and quality of life (QoL) were assessed using seizure diaries and standardized rating scales at baseline and annual follow-up. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of postoperative SF reduction.
resultsA total of 40 patients were included, with a mean age at surgery of 28.6 ± 11.1 years. The average monthly SF decreased from 15 at baseline to 6.5 at the 5-year follow-up (a 56.7% reduction, p < 0.001), with a responder rate of 62.5%. Therapeutic effect was most pronounced within the first 24 months after implantation. The Liverpool Seizure Severity Scale (LSSS) scores improved from 26.7 ± 5.2 to 17.9 ± 8.6 (p < 0.001). Mood conditions (measured by the Hamilton Depression and Anxiety Rating Scales) improved from baseline to the final follow-up, while cognitive status remained stable. QoL also improved significantly, particularly in Overall QoL, Emotional Well-being, Energy/Fatigue and Social Functioning. Multivariate logistic regression identified temporal lobe seizures (OR 8.3, p = 0.022) and stimulation amplitude (OR 4.2, p = 0.034) as independent predictors of responder status following DBS implantation. Multivariate linear regression identified baseline LSSS scores (standardized β: 3.5, p = 0.016) and temporal lobe seizures (standardized β 35.4, p = 0.024) as independent predictors of SF reduction.
conclusionsANT-DBS significantly reduces SF in patients with DRE and shows stable long-term efficacy. The seizure onset zone, preoperative seizure severity and stimulation amplitude are critical predictors of postoperative outcomes, providing valuable information for optimal patient selection for this intervention.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.