脑深部电刺激术是治疗癫痫的“有效疗法”

时间：2010-03-18 06:05:18

（单词翻译:单击）

Deep brain stimulation¹ is a promising² therapy for epilepsy, US researchers from Stanford University have said.

美国斯坦福大学研究人员称，脑深部电刺激术治疗癫痫效果显著。

Patients in the study had electrodes implanted in their brains

In a clinical trial, 110 people had electrodes（电极） implanted in their brains and their seizures⁴（癫痫，痉挛）were monitored.

Forty-one per cent of patients showed a reduction in seizures after 13 months while 56% experienced a reduction after two years.

The patients all suffered from regular epileptic seizures（癫痫发作） and had failed to respond to drug treatment.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a surgical⁵ treatment involving the implantation（灌输，移植） of a medical device called a brain pacemaker, which sends electrical impulses to specific parts of the brain.

In the group of patients who received brain stimulation, researchers noted⁶ a 41% reduction in seizures compared to a 14.5% decline in seizures in a control group. This group did not receive stimulation.

Invasive therapy

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder⁷ which is characterised by recurrent seizures. These seizures can cause temporary loss of consciousness, convulsions（抽搐） , confusion or disturbances⁸ in sensations.

According to the World Health Organization, epilepsy affects 50 million people worldwide.

Previous studies indicate that one third of those with epilepsy do not respond to anti-epileptic drugs.

Dr Robert Fisher, director of the Epilepsy Centre at Stanford University and lead author of the study, said electrical deep brain stimulation does reduce seizure³ frequency in patients.

But he cautioned: "DBS therapy is invasive and serious complications can occur. Additional clinical knowledge would help to determine the best candidates for DBS therapy."

Simon Wigglesworth, deputy chief executive at UK charity Epilepsy Action, said: "We have been hopeful for some time that deep brain stimulation may be a treatment option for some people with epilepsy.

"This study is exciting news and could be an important development in the treatment of epilepsy in the 30% of people whose seizures don't respond to traditional drug therapies."

The research is published online in the journal Epilepsia.

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收听单词发音

1 stimulation
n.刺激，激励，鼓舞
参考例句：
The playgroup provides plenty of stimulation for the children.幼儿游戏组给孩子很多启发。 You don't get any intellectual stimulation in this job.你不能从这份工作中获得任何智力启发。

2 promising
adj.有希望的，有前途的
参考例句：
The results of the experiments are very promising.实验的结果充满了希望。 We're trying to bring along one or two promising young swimmers.我们正设法培养出一两名有前途的年轻游泳选手。

3 seizure
n.没收；占有；抵押
参考例句：
The seizure of contraband is made by customs.那些走私品是被海关没收的。 The courts ordered the seizure of all her property.法院下令查封她所有的财产。

4 seizures
n.起获( seizure的名词复数 )；没收；充公；起获的赃物
参考例句：
Seizures of illicit drugs have increased by 30% this year. 今年违禁药品的扣押增长了30%。来自《简明英汉词典》 Other causes of unconsciousness predisposing to aspiration lung abscess are convulsive seizures. 造成吸入性肺脓肿昏迷的其他原因，有惊厥发作。来自辞典例句

5 surgical
adj.外科的，外科医生的，手术上的
参考例句：
He performs the surgical operations at the Red Cross Hospital.他在红十字会医院做外科手术。 All surgical instruments must be sterilised before use.所有的外科手术器械在使用之前，必须消毒。

6 noted
adj.著名的，知名的
参考例句：
The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。 Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

7 disorder
n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调
参考例句：
When returning back,he discovered the room to be in disorder.回家后，他发现屋子里乱七八糟。 It contained a vast number of letters in great disorder.里面七零八落地装着许多信件。

8 disturbances
n.骚乱( disturbance的名词复数 )；打扰；困扰；障碍
参考例句：
The government has set up a commission of inquiry into the disturbances at the prison. 政府成立了一个委员会来调查监狱骚乱事件。 Extra police were called in to quell the disturbances. 已调集了增援警力来平定骚乱。