The following report by medical editor Marilyn Brooks first aired on Channel 4 Action News at 5 p.m. on June 20, 2006.

---

Implanting a vagus nerve stimulator helps control or reduce the frequency of seizures, according to doctors.

The nerve stimulator is small, thin and acts just like a pacemaker. It sends impulses, not to the heart, but the brain.

"The thought is that these impulses create an environment to inhibit the seizure activity from occurring," said director of epilepsy surgery at Children's Hospital Dr. David Adelson.

Implanted just under the skin in the chest, the stimulator is connected to the brain through the vagus nerve in the neck.

For kids with uncontrollable epilepsy like Colton Hinerman, it means hope.

For five years, he'd drift off to sleep and have seizures -- nearly 20 every night.

"I'd be there all night and I'd have to give him Valium," said Colton's mother, Katie.

Doctors tried drugs. They either didn't work or caused side effects that made it tough for Colton to get through school.

"These medications, especially at high levels, will slow their reaction time, slow their ability to function," Adelson said.

Repetitive seizures in a developing brain can be harmful, both from a social and cognitive or thinking perspective. But doctors say the vagus nerve stimulator offers hope.

Adults and teens have used vagus nerve stimulators for years to control seizures. But a Federal Drug Administration-approved study tested them in even younger children.

In nearly half of those cases, seizures were cut by 75 percent and injuries related to seizures dropped dramatically.

When patients feel a seizure coming on they can swipe a special magnet to activate the device.

"It often helps patients come off some of the medication, so it allows them to get more involved in their activities of daily living," Adelson said.

The stimulator stopped Colton's seizures altogether.

The magnet near his bed means he and mom now get a good night's sleep

Currently, the vagus nerve stimulator is FDA-approved for children 12 and older.

However, Adelson said it can be used in rescue operations for babies as young as 6 months old.

---

Related Links:
More County News

---