Brain Pacemaker
From: NASA Tech Briefs Insider - 07/31/2006

A nerve-stimulation treatment for epilepsy developed at UCLA's David Geffen
School of Medicine offers a potential alternative for tens of thousands of
epileptics unable to control their seizures with medication, or who are not
candidates for surgery. Developed by UCLA neuroscientists and Valencia,
CA-based Advanced Bionics Corp.,  trigeminal nerve stimulation (TNS) uses a
"brain pacemaker" to stimulate a nerve involved in inhibiting seizures. 

The trigeminal nerve extends into the brain from the face and forehead, and
plays a role in controlling seizures. The stimulator and electrodes can be
worn externally or implanted. In a clinical trial, four of seven subjects who
used an external stimulator for at least three months had a 50% or better
reduction in seizure frequency. 

Patients in the trial wore the stimulator on their belt. Wires from the
stimulator were passed under clothing and connected to electrodes attached to
the face by adhesive. The electrodes could be covered by a cap or hat. The
cost of an external TNS stimulator is about $180, and the monthly cost of
batteries and electrodes is $150 to $170. 

Read the entire article:
UCLA Develops Unique Nerve-stimulation Epilepsy Treatment; "Brain Pacemaker"
  Designed as External or Implant Device 
http://newsroom.ucla.edu/page.asp?RelNum=7163

Links:
David Geffen School of Medicine
http://dgsom.healthsciences.ucla.edu/

UCLA Epilepsy Program Research
http://neurosurgery.ucla.edu/Programs/Epilepsy/Epilepsy_Research.html

Advanced Bionics Corp.
http://www.advancedbionics.com/