Laser brain therapy offers hope to epilepsy sufferers in England
October 22, 2022, 10:00 am

Laser brain therapy offers hope to epilepsy sufferers in England

MRI scanner - Photo. Pixabay

Hundreds of people with hard-to-treat epilepsy will be offered laser therapy targeting the brain on the NHS in England from next year, the BBC reported.

Epilepsy is a condition that affects the brain, causing repeated seizures.

A tiny laser inside a probe in the skull enables doctors to destroy brain tissue causing seizures.

A seizure happens when there is a sudden burst of intense electrical activity in the brain, which disrupts the way the brain normally works.

There are many different types of epilepsy and it can start at any age.

Some types last for a limited amount of time while for others, epilepsy can be a life-long condition.

NHS England says that the treatment is more precise and less risky than normal brain surgery and patients recover more quickly.

Epilepsy is a condition that affects the brain, causing repeated seizures - Photo. Pixabay

Charity Epilepsy Action said the new therapy was "an exciting ray of hope".

Around 600,000 people in the UK have epilepsy. Most control their seizures with medication, but one in three can't - and around 1,000 are suitable for conventional brain surgery every year.

And many are put off by the potential risks and the lengthy recovery period.

NHS England figures show patients waiting long time for ambulances

In contrast, the wound from laser treatment is so small that patients are able to go home within a day or two, and return to work within a week.

NHS England said around 150 patients would benefit from laser therapy in 2023 with numbers set to rise in future years.

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The procedure is carried out in an MRI scanner, allowing doctors to navigate around blood vessels and other important brain structures to find the precise bit of tissue they want to get rid of.

A very precise laser beam, at the tip of the probe, then eliminates the brain tissue using heat and light.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”