LOOKING
2025
Approximately one in three people living with epilepsy experience seizures that cannot be controlled with medication alone. For many of these patients, surgery can offer relief or even a cure. However, when seizures originate in critical areas of the brain responsible for speech, movement, or vision, traditional surgical options are not possible. These patients have traditionally had limited treatment options and often continue to live with uncontrolled seizures that significantly impact their quality of life. Advancing epilepsy care through innovation Calgary Health Foundation is raising $4.9 million to bring responsive neurostimulation (RNS) therapy to the Calgary Epilepsy Program, a groundbreaking technology that has the potential to transform epilepsy care in Alberta and beyond. This advanced therapy uses an implanted device that continuously monitors brain activity, detects the earliest signs of a seizure, and delivers targeted electrical stimulation to stop the seizure before it fully develops. Much like a cardiac defibrillator responds to abnormal heart rhythms, RNS responds in real time to seizure activity in the brain. RNS is especially valuable for patients whose seizures originate in areas of the brain that cannot safely be removed. By expanding the range of patients who can benefit from surgical intervention, this technology opens the door to treatment for individuals who were previously not considered surgical candidates. While RNS has been safely and successfully used in the United States for more than a decade—reducing seizures by an average of 70 per cent over five years and significantly improving quality of life—it is not as readily available in Canada. With philanthropic investment, Calgary has the opportunity to change that. Donor support will help fund the acquisition of RNS devices, specialized surgical equipment, and the research infrastructure required to implement this program locally. The Calgary Epilepsy Program will also leverage advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence to improve patient selection, personalize treatment, and measure outcomes, ensuring patients receive the greatest possible benefit from this innovative therapy.
Beyond its clinical impact, this initiative has the potential to reduce long-term healthcare costs and improve system sustainability. Patients with drug- resistant epilepsy account for a disproportionate share of epilepsy-related healthcare use. Helping more patients achieve seizure control means fewer emergency visits, fewer hospitalizations, and better long-term outcomes. As we look forward, RNS represents more than a new technology; it represents hope, possibility, and a future where more patients can live fuller, safer lives. With continued donor support, Calgary will be at the forefront of epilepsy care and innovation, improving outcomes for patients across Western Canada for years to come.
Photo: iStock
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CALGARY HEALTH FOUNDATION
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