Kansas City, Kan- Mallory Contreras, who, after years of epilepsy, achieved seizure freedom with a brain implant.

Mallory's story underscores the impact of epilepsy on daily life and the transformative effect of the RNS device. Dr. Uysal details the device's function and the importance of comprehensive epilepsy care.

The discussion also touches on the challenges epilepsy patients face in employment and the misconceptions about the condition.

Mallory Contreras, patient

• Mallory describes the RNS device, which is implanted under her scalp and has leads on each side of her brain to monitor seizures.
• The device took time to calibrate to effectively prevent seizures, but now Mallory is seizure-free and can drive, which has significantly improved her quality of life.

Dr. Utku Uysal, The University of Kansas Health System

• Dr. Uysal discusses the importance of gaining independence for epilepsy patients and the role of the RNS device in achieving this.
• Epilepsy can be caused by various factors, including structural brain abnormalities, tumors, stroke, and genetic or autoimmune diseases.
• Dr. Uysal explains the criteria for being a good candidate for the RNS device, which is approved for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy who have seizures despite being on two or more medications.