Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) and Responsive Cortical Stimulation(RNS) -- Epilepsy Treatment

There are many important differences between VNS and the NeuroPace RNS System. First and foremost, VNS stimulates the vagus nerve in the neck whereas the NeuroPace RNS System is cranially implanted and stimulates preselected cortical epileptic foci in the brain. One or 2 recording and stimulating depth or subdural cortical strips are surgically placed according to the seizure focus (or foci), which was previously identified by detailed electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring.

Following is one of my patient encounter of the RNS:

Hello Shu:

The neuropace will utilize probes which are programmed to deliver electric activity deep into my brain. The brain activity is supposed to be changed in a good way in order to reduce seizure activity. The neuropace is for persons who, like me, have not been cured any medications.

The surgeon will place electrodes on my brain surface via opening a piece of my skull. It provides responsive neural stimulation (RNS) to my brain once it detects an impending seizure. The neuropace is controlled by my neurologist. This is an issue of MAJOR concern for me. I trust (my doctor), but am very concerned that a careless individual may literally utilize me as an experimental tool. Some reports online say that the neuropace is not expected to correct my brain such that I can drive; doctor says that I will be able to do so.

These conflicting reports make me seriously question the wisdom of obtaining a neuropace. Are you possibly aware of natural cures for epilepsy; if not, someone to whom you can refer me?


Thanks
xxx
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Dear xx,

I know several people have headache and epilepsy who have neuropace implanted. Some work to some extent, some does not work at all. The neuropace uses small current stimulation of certain brain spots by opening up skull and put the electrodes in. Is this acupuncture? Yes, it is. It is acupuncture with current stimulation. Neuropace permanently places the stimulation inside brain. Verse the acupuncture which is placed outside the brain skull. We call scalp acupuncture. As you know, we use other points too in the body according to meridian theory and it is not pervasive. So far, as I know, nature cures cannot fix epilepsy totally. It can reduce the symptom and recurrence frequency as you already experienced. (see other blogs about acupuncture and herbal treatment)

There are documented roughly 65 points in human head not including many experience (EXT）points. Think so many points as stars in the sky we see at night. They almost populate all every spots in our head. They are grouped as meridian lines. Each line has its definition of functions. Acupuncturist treats condition based on the diagnosis methodologies plus the experience. Following are those points. Meridian points in the front of head,
　　头维穴 发际穴 阳白穴 印堂穴 攒竹穴 鱼腰穴 外明穴 睛明穴 丝竹空 瞳子髎 承泣穴 球后穴 四白穴 迎香穴 人中穴 地仓穴 承浆穴
　　前顶 通天 上星 神庭 承光 当阳 五处 曲差 眉冲 素髎 兑端 龈交 上迎香

Meridian points in the top, side and back of head,
　　百会穴 后顶穴 风府穴 风池穴 天柱穴 哑门穴 太阳穴 下关穴 客主人 耳门穴 听宫穴 翳风穴 颊车穴 大迎穴 人迎穴
　　四神聪 强间 脑户 目窗 正营 率谷 承灵 脑空 头窍阴 完骨 天冲 颔厌 头临

If you don't know Chinese, it is fine as you can always find those English names if you are interested.

Best