Epileptic fits, which are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain, are extremely hard to predict and only slightly less difficult to treat. Because each person’s brain activity is unique, doctors have had to monitor patients over a period of time and prescribe medication based on their analysis of the brain patterns.

Over the past few years, implants have been used to control seizures in patients who were not candidates for surgery, but predicting them has remained a challenge. Two AI researchers have now solved that problem, creating a system that can predict epileptic seizures with 99.6% accuracy. Most importantly, the system can provide a warning in advance, allowing either implants or medication to be used to control the seizure.

This system is not entirely new, but it’s a leap forward. A few years ago, researchers at Technical University (TU) in Eindhoven in the Netherlands developed a smart arm bracelet that can predict epileptic seizures at night. The AI system is far more accurate and can be used throughout the day.

According to the World Health Organisation, 50 million people around the world suffer from epilepsy, and 70% can control their seizures with medication – if it is taken on time. The new AI system could ensure that they would be able to take the appropriate mediation at the right time, and it could alleviate the stress of seizures for the other 30% by warning them far enough in advance so they could ensure they were in a safe and comfortable space when the fit started.

When combined with the brain implant, this could prove to be as close to a cure as epilepsy sufferers could hope for. The researchers who developed the system are planning on developing a customised computer chip to process their algorithms, as existing implants would not be compatible with the system’s computing needs.

Brain implants are also being used to treat Parkinson’s, Dystonia, which is a movement disorder where a person’s muscled contract uncontrollably, and even obsessive-compulsive disorder. Researchers are even starting a trial in which they will use implants to help overcome the urges associated with opiate addiction.

The implant being used in the addiction trials is called the Deep Brain Stimulation chip, producing electronic pulses to stimulate the brain. The chip focuses on sending the pulses to the specific regions of the brain that are involved in creating addictions and in self-control behaviours. In addition to arresting cravings by sending counter-impulses to these regions, the implant chip will provide information about real-time cravings and other information to neuroscientists and doctors, allowing them to better understand the physiology of addiction. Based on the success of implants such as those used for epilepsy sufferers, researchers are confident that they will see similar results.