{
  "id": 9684061,
  "title": "Investigating brain stimulation as an alternative to medication in the treatment of epilepsy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/investigating-brain-stimulation-as-an-alternative-to-medication-in",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-25T03:00:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Medical Xpress",
    "slug": "medical-xpress",
    "url": "https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-09-brain-alternative-medication-treatment-epilepsy.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "This research article investigates the potential of noninvasive brain stimulation as an alternative treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy. Traditional treatments often involve surgical procedures, which carry risks and have varying success rates. As a result, there is a growing need for less burdensome therapies that can be used at home.\n\nSteven Beumer, who conducted this Ph.D. research at Ghent University Hospital, explored this challenge by investigating personalized transcranial electric neurostimulation. Unlike surgery, this method involves placing electrodes on the scalp to deliver a weak electrical current that influences brain activity. The electrodes are relatively easy to administer and do not require invasive surgery.\n\nOne of the key advantages of this technique is that it may not solely rely on electrical current reaching the brain. Instead, stimulation of nerves in the scalp also appears to play an important role. The study found that measuring the effects of brain stimulation indirectly through a healthy volunteer's finger, observing whether the finger moves or the signal reaching the finger changes before and after stimulation.\n\nWhile the research provides valuable insights and could potentially contribute to improved and more personalized treatment options for drug-resistant epilepsy, further studies are needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind the stimulation and assess its benefit in patients. Beumer hopes that his research will help bridge the gap between scientific research and clinical practice, fostering better understanding among engineers and medical professionals.",
  "summary": "Many treatments for drug-resistant epilepsy require surgical procedures that carry risks and do not guarantee success. Therefore, there is a growing need for less burdensome therapies that can be used at home. Steven Beumer explored this challenge as part of his Ph.D. research, which was conducted within the PerStim (Personalized NeuroStimulation) project.",
  "key_points": [
    "Investigates noninvasive brain stimulation for drug-resistant epilepsy",
    "Personalized transcranial electric neurostimulation uses scalp electrodes",
    "Study links stimulation effects to changes in healthy volunteer's finger"
  ],
  "editors_take": "This development suggests that noninvasive brain stimulation may become a less burdensome treatment option for drug-resistant epilepsy, potentially reducing reliance on surgical procedures and their associated risks.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}