Epilepsy: a collaborative cure

PHOTOGRAPH: KARIN SCHERMBRUCKER/SLINGSHOTMEDIA.CO.ZA. ICONS: SHUTTERSTOCK
SPOTLIGHT
NEUROSCIENCE
“We rush it back to the lab and very finely section
the tissue,” explains Raimondo, who leads the basic
neuroscience laboratory at UCT. “Then we use sophisticated
electrodes and microscopes to record the activity of
individual brain cells.
“We also stain the cells to study their exquisite
morphology. This gives us valuable insight into the
unique features of human brain cells and the possible
underpinnings of epilepsy.”
Step 5: Recovery
1
Diagnosis
4
Research
Mikhulu undergoes rehabilitation after which her doctors will
gradually wean her off her epilepsy medication. This begins
six months after her surgery.
Due to the nature of Mikhulu’s epilepsy and because she
was a well-selected candidate for surgery, she has a very
good chance of being seizure-free and off medication from
a year after surgery.
* While Mikhulu (meaning ‘great hope’ in isiXhosa) is
not a real patient. The case described is typical of many
undergoing neurosurgery for epilepsy.
Evaluation
2
Treatment
3
5
Recovery
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