Listening to the brain: A functional cure for epilepsy | David Garrett | TEDxSydney

Known for his work developing novel materials for use inside the body, David J Garrett reveals the latest project he and his team have developed which sits within the brain and can detect the activity of individual neurons with incredible precision. Working towards a function cure of drug-resistant epilepsy this device will have the capacity to warn someone if their brain was heading towards a seizure state, tackling the fear and unpredictability of the disease to radically transform people's quality of life.
David J. Garrett is an internationally regarded research scientist invested in developing high performance electrodes for use inside the body. He is CEO of Carbon Cybernetics, holds an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship award and leads a research group at RMIT University. David has ten years of innovation in medical device technology, particularly in novel materials for neural interface applications including neural interfacing electrodes built from graphene, carbon nanotubes, and other carbon-based nano-materials. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@krager4321]

I've had epilepsy for 20 years. I tend to have a seizure every 3 to 6 months now. I still go mountain biking, snowboarding, skate park and wake boarding. Never let epilepsy stop you from doing what you enjoy in life no matter the risk. Full send

[@kshithijshegade9356]

Yaaa

[@lilithstorm7026]

My seizures are a lot better thanks to taking full spectrum high quality CBD oil regularly or even as a seizure is about to happen. During a seizure if someone is there, rubbing it on my feet can help make it stop more quickly. In case you're interested 🙂

[@khalid5225]

just had one yesterday I neglected the medication for a year and half and the night before i haven’t gotten any sleep i was working on a project , God bless you all and give you health

[@lilithstorm7026]

My seizures are a lot better thanks to taking full spectrum high quality CBD oil regularly or even as a seizure is about to happen. During a seizure if someone is there, rubbing it on my feet can help make it stop more quickly. Also regularly massaging my neck and shoulders helps a lot. In case you're interested 🙂

[@TeresaMarie_]

My epilepsy is controllable with medication, so i don't quite have the same level of fears as the drug-resistant kind, but that was still a fantastic way of explaining the mental state of just having epilepsy in general! Personally, I still do have that fear; "Shoot! Did I take my medication? No? How long ago was it? Nooo, I did take it, I'm fine..."

[@seasickviking]

Same here. It can even get to the point where I cant remember whether the memory I have of taking them was from today or yesterday.

[@shineykathbaruah582]

@@seasickviking haha...same here..me too

[@emdrew]

I use to do this but I got a medication box that has mon - fri and am and pm on it, so now I know if I have taken it! I have also set an alarm on my phone 😊

[@liapat814]

I’m drug resistant 😢

[@PockASqueeno]

Same here! My seizures have caused some extreme memory problems. A pill box helps me a lot, but I admittedly forget to fill up the box more often than I'd like...

[@SoyAzulBlanco]

i can’t even imagine how much those with uncontrolled epilepsy suffer. i’m an epileptic and i haven’t had a tonic-clonic seizure for a long time, but i still suffer from focal seizures from time to time, even with medication. so i’m a “lucky” epileptic, but it’s hard living like this. i’m always moved by all the scientists working so hard for all the epileptics that can’t control their seizures. 💜

[@EddyA1337]

Same, havent had a full on seizure in years but still twitch and stutter. Myoclonus mainly.

[@marylopez4420]

I have a 17 yr old granddaughter w epilepsy n she never knows when n it's scary ... Hard to just be out shopping bc it can occurr

[@seasickviking]

I myself have had serious epilepsy in one form or another since I was an infant. While I've hated the seizures themselves, its also made me more perceptive of the world around me and the suffering some people experience on a daily basis due to other neurological issues (PTSD, Dementia, etc). I can only hope that, to some degree, others like me can learn to appreciate the experience with equal measure.

[@NoelleAm]

Absolutely incredible. Thank God for people like you!

[@PkmnMasterHolly]

INCREDIBLE WORK TO HIM AND HIS TEAM!

[@thebritishtartarian174]

Nice. Very needed

[@rachelmonroe717]

Thank you so much for this talk and video that targets so many- both those of us who suffer with such a disease and more often than most recognize, its sudden onset at any age, but regardless a chronic condition that for 30% of us battling the refractory component, takes away our dreams and careers- and our sense of selves, relationships, ( and of course, our driver's licenses we once had) along with the confidence that ultimately becomes replaced with hoping to still remain as independent as possible while living in a permanent state of unpredictability and uncertainty AND those pursuing careers in researching solutions, neurology, neurotechnologies, and family and friends as well of those impacted personally. You give such a truly understanding lecture of what it is actually can feel like living moment by moment- trying to exercise those mindfulness skills and positive outlook we often are taught in therapy- live each day like our last in a positive way, acknowledging moment by moment and absorbing it as meaningfully as possible, but it does not always ultimately feel that that is our choice to make, when many of us never get to truly plan by our own hands in advance.... anything entirely. So many of us refuse to give up and we so often try hard and want to do the things/ take advantage of opportunities to engage in prior hobbies and activities and social interaction, but because we cannot guarantee any full control enough to adhere without a doubt to what we could possibly attend if contribute to, it's hard to accept and for others to accept there's ultimately nothing to which we can 100% commit anymore! You offer an amazing ability to empathize and explain to others what life is really like for those of us with the sudden onslaught and trauma this 1% of the time can do, while the other 99% of the time so many of us honestly try so hard to picture what we CAN still do for ourselves and simultaneously try and help others to really remove any fears or long- established societal stigmas that they may not even realize they subtly feel or display, but that can drive a wedge between those diagnosed and battling such a disease and all its side effects and behind- the- scenes emotional toll, and those we once were so close to and whose fears and coinciding feelings of helplessness we can understand but doing so doesn't always change their slow withdrawal from or misperception of us that we are just not the same person we once were... whether they realize they are thinking and feeling that way or not. And that only makes living with such a debilitating disease and the injuries and side effects and extreme life changes of medications, constant monitoring, or own helplessness and, ironically, dependence on anyone but ourselves for help with the universal daily basics all the more emotionally isolating at our core. This is getting lengthy but I also want to say, you do a very moving and important job of explaining the combinination with true understanding and acknowledgment of daily living experienced by those affected directly by such disease in conjunction with the scientific components and research of it, and ongoing research and now technological updates in the works of long lasting treatments that are proving more successful with more and more research and updated developments, and explain it all in such a way that whether a patient or family member/ friend as well as students, doctors, and scientists can understand the basics of and explore, and it feels like for me, who has been part of and experienced both worlds and continues to battle, so refreshing to feel like someone who is an expert sees all sides and knows how to spread awareness, pinpoint struggles and progress from multiple angles and i plan on sending a link to this to so many who also fall into the multiple kinds of relationships established across all spectrums of anyone's life (friends, family, colleagues, and even professional caretakers seemingly unaware of the difference their ability to balance both their decisions, understanding of, and capacity to explain in even laymen's terms, the physiological science behind such a debilitating disease/dx to patients, and treatment proposed, yet simultaneously have the ability and choose to show their empathic capacity to the patient and that combination of care, answers, and true respect is a huge comfort and honestly a kind of treatment some of us want so badly in and of itself itself.

[@rorym7899]

Great message. Thank you for sharing 🙏

[@coryhayes2000]

Amazing presentation

[@ABrown100]

Thank you!

[@jimimased1894]

great job

[@RosarioLopez-ez2zo]

🙏 gratitud por vuestro trabajo

[@d011p4rtz]

the sad part about this is it feels like I should just avoid getting excitable at all just to avoid an episode :( really takes the fun out of life

[@PetraKann]

There is always a catch

[@rorym7899]

Wow so inspirational. Thank you David Garrett for all your research and hard work. I really appreciate you talking about the reality of living with epilepsy and how horrible it is to not trust your own brain. Hopefully this work will really help us. ❤

[@TheDstempien]

There are already implantable devices that do this same thing. I have one. It’s called an RNS. Since I got this thing implanted in my brain, I haven’t had a seizure in nearly four and a half years now.

[@LifeIsWonderful675]

Was it a big operation and did it take long to heal

[@ashleyhicks1278]

@@LifeIsWonderful675from research i’ve done RNS is a bigger procedure than DBS. I had a friend who had either RNS or DBS done (I can’t remember) & it did not work & he had a partial lobectomy which did. I have to fail one more medication to be eligible for VNS 😬

[@b991228]

I have epilepsy. I could anticipate that at least the tonic clonic seizures were coming on and best of all now I take medication to treat every type of my seizures I have. I have the good fortune that this medication now completely controls my malady. I am fortunate as well that I can be sympathetic with those individuals who have uncontrollable epilepsy. I can also understand that they too are normal individuals like you and I. They to have the right to enjoy life.

[@samyakdhyan]

Great 👍👍

[@Myjourneywmeadow]

I have uncontrolled seizures. I couldn’t even imagine going 24 hours without a seizure. I have them every day, several times a day. I’m 31 and have full time care givers do to it.

[@trobertw]

Wow. I believe you will get better and become seizure free

[@joanlockwood1769]

Acupressure

[@Myjourneywmeadow]

@@joanlockwood1769 it might help with my MS, but my seizures are from a rare brain disorder.

[@lilithstorm7026]

Sorry to hear that ❤ My seizures are a lot better thanks to taking full spectrum high quality CBD oil regularly or even as a seizure is about to happen. During a seizure if someone is there, rubbing it on my feet can help make it stop more quickly. Also regularly massaging my neck and shoulders along with good posture helps a lot as tight neck muscles make it worse. Lions mane mushrooms could also be very beneficial. In case you're interested

[@Myjourneywmeadow]

@@lilithstorm7026 I’ve heard about lion manes and would love to hear more about it! I’ve been using CBD and THC oils , edibles.. smoking all of it, but because mine is caused by a TBI and a rare brain disorder it doesn’t stop them. It’s helped slow them down. But sadly hasn’t helped make them go away. I still have them daily. Is lion manes legal… does it make you high ? Cause I already hate the feeling of weed high. So I’m just worried.

[@miteshladani4040]

The Brain, very complex organ to understand it's functionality!

[@trobertw]

My seizures started when I was 31, I'm 33 now and have had 6 seizures total. All happened while laying down so think it may be sleep related. I used to lay awake for hours thinking rapidly every night. Now I take leveteracetam twice per day, and a benzodiazapine to relax me and night and I haven't had another one in 6 months now

[@awett8491]

@trobertw first I’m glad your seizure disappeared for 6 month, and I wish won’t never back to you! And I’m 31 now and this seizure thing happened to me last year while I was sleeping. Ever since I had about 15 seizure in different days. I Start taking medication Levetiracetam (Keppra) Like 3 month ago and I still had 2 seizure in 3 months, rather than that I’m feeling good. My question now is should I keep taking it or change medication?? Thank you and God bless you

[@trobertw]

@@awett8491 God bless you as well thank you. I definitely don't know the answer about medication. It seems to help me, so I'm continuing on it for now, and luckily it doesn't make me feel bad. I'm trying other things too like meditation, I stopped consuming caffeine and alcohol, reduced sugar, trying to exercise more... Hopefully these things will all help. Good luck!

[@ashleyhicks1278]

@@awett8491YES, CONTINUE THE MEDICATIONS!!!!!! sincerely a nurse & an epileptic 💗 talk to your provider! my doctor said that I will need to be seizure free for 2-3 years & then be readmitted into the EMU before possibly tapering my medications.

[@ashleyhicks1278]

@@awett8491they may add on another medication or taper you off that one!

[@rinumkhan]

Gotta be careful with those medicine they make your organs deterate.

[@lcifermorningstar191]

Love Science & Technology.😎❤️

[@lcifermorningstar191]

I'm listening. Speak here so others can also benefit.🙂

[@silviat8759]

Amazing🥰😇🥰😇

[@NicoSteenkamp]

This sounds interesting; How can I reach out and find out more about the current status on the development stage this is at etc.?

[@sherlokholmes728]

this issue responsibilites electronic and cominication engineerings i think this fiels it will be so popular

[@ut561]

diet is the key, it's been know since the 30's

[@TheDstempien]

Not completely true. Diet “can” help. It’s not a cure at all.

[@UmaDevi-bn8sw]

I have photo sensitive epilepsy.. but by God's grace, I can feel when I am about to get an episode - a bad headache from a day b4 the episode, eye blinking and rolling, a few jerks with less intensity - these are the red flags - so I take precaution and proper medication. I also carry midozalam spray and educate my peers to spray it if at all I do have the episode.. my peers are kind enough to learn and get acquainted to it. Also I keep emergency contacts on the lock screen of my phone for safety.

[@lilithstorm7026]

My seizures are a lot better thanks to taking full spectrum high quality CBD oil regularly or even as a seizure is about to happen. During a seizure if someone is there, rubbing it on my feet can help make it stop more quickly. Also regularly massaging my neck and shoulders along with good posture helps a lot as tight neck muscles make it worse. Lions mane mushrooms could also be very beneficial. In case you're interested

[@Sketching4Sanity]

Love ✊🏿

[@Gg-ij7li]

Jesus loves you all!! Remember that He died and rose up again for you to be in heaven with Him! Believe on His name and repent of your sins and be saved! Have an amazing day ❤️

[@katebruno9255]

Has this device become available yet?

[@jennyg495]

Epilepsy has raked havoic on my life. Praying for a cure.

[@lilithstorm7026]

My seizures are a lot better thanks to taking full spectrum high quality CBD oil regularly or even as a seizure is about to happen. During a seizure if someone is there, rubbing it on my feet can help make it stop more quickly. Also regularly massaging my neck and shoulders along with good posture helps a lot as tight neck muscles make it worse. Lions mane mushrooms could also be very beneficial. In case you're interested 🙂

[@franciseke7792]

Dr Obulor on youtube is a great doctor, he works and effort towards curing my Son epilepsy is incomparable I appreciate you and your work doc may God continue to bless you Amen🙏

[@LifeIsWonderful675]

What is the treatment this Dr is using, l stopped meds in 2012 because they were not working or the side effects were terrible

[@ashleyhicks1278]

⁠@@LifeIsWonderful675there are new medications since then! if you haven’t seen a neuro recently I would definitely reach out

[@b991228]

Does the sensor need to be placed in an area that has been determined to be the origin of the seizure? My seizure has not been localized to one exact area. Fortunately medication completely controls all my seizures.

[@sampleowner6677]

My grandson has epilepsy. It's very mild and it's controlled with medication. He's ten years old and has had it since he was very little. We are hoping he will grow out of it. The medication seems to effect his moods. He doesn't seem as happy.

[@ashleyhicks1278]

is it keppra? if so there’s a newer medication called briviact that is basically the same as keppra but without the side effects! i’m not sure if it’s approved for adolescent use but it would definitely be something worth looking into!

[@sampleowner6677]

@@ashleyhicks1278 Thank you for the info. I'll check it out.

[@sophiaandrews5849]

Good afternoon thank you for the info I can comment because I have epilepsy my first siezure happened on a greyhound bus when I lived in NYC and you are right if you never had a siezure you have no idea what it's like the medicine helps but they are so many side effects but what can you do please find a cure for this disease stop treating the symptoms and find the cause we suffer a lot thank you

[@ashleyhicks1278]

finding a cure is nearly impossible and I hate to say it….. I had to google what diseases have been cured and it’s only 2 smallpox (humans) and rinderpest (cattle).

[@adriennelebronyoga]

How is this different than an RNS ? My nephew has two, is on two meds and still seizing and exploring more options. My son has intractable epilepsy as well. Saying you’d never fear having a seizure again is a big promise when you have them daily or all day long. Please give more info on device name, doctors utilizing it and research. Thank you

[@ashleyhicks1278]

not sure if your nephews is idiopathic or not. but a friend of mine had either RNS or DBS (I can’t remember which one) and it didn’t work. he then had a partial lobectomy and is now able to drive again for the first time in years! we’re both at mayo clinic jax. i’m still on meds but had an appointment recently and I basically have to fail one more medication to qualify for VNS

[@lindaibarra384]

THANK YOU DAVID GARRETT FOR YOUR MESSAGE MY SON DIED FROM EPILEPSY IN THE SHOWER 🚿 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@riley3583]

congrats

[@user-si7sw7xy4n]

沒idea

[@PPitambarP]

👍

[@user-si7sw7xy4n]

台灣ㄧ定有

[@EddyA1337]

Keppra and Valium work the best for me but my doctor wants to get me off the Valium.

[@ashleyhicks1278]

why?

[@EddyA1337]

@@ashleyhicks1278 He just doesn't like benzos. I've been off Valium for a few months now and my quality of life was so much better when I was on 5-10 mg a day

[@user-si7sw7xy4n]

量子科技很重要嗎？

[@Supergirl-oo5lr]

As much as I like the concept and find it interesting, getting a device in my brain is far from being appealing if it doesn’t cure epilepsy. As for helping people not to worry and do more things , I understand what he’s trying to achieve but wouldn’t it actually provoke more stress?You would check your phone even more than we already do , wouldn’t you? As for the surgery, he didn’t mention any side effects or danger….. which makes me doubt the entire thing…..

[@LifeIsWonderful675]

Any device planted in the brain is very scary

[@melaniestarkey7868]

How about that we're electrical; go figure, love the Sun. Someone plugged me in.

[@user-si7sw7xy4n]

有時空

[@Alex-kn2jx]

El segundo

[@abdulrasaqibrahim-pd2cr]

Many people are already calling you their Doctor, but I thought it was because of the respect they have for you Dr ogie,I now figured out that using your herbal medication is like starting or the beginning of good health💗0:00

[@user-si7sw7xy4n]

您需要

[@rinumkhan]

I'm 42 on medication for epilepsy I've had this since the age of 11, I have taken several types of meds that did not help, what did help a little bit was fasting /exercise no junk food and no drinking/smoking but sadly it did not last long but I'm pretty certain I'm gonna try again.

[@abbasabdulrashid2735]

I want to thank Dr Ogie for helping me destroy my epilepsy after 8years and also Helping my family. You are a wonderful person and a Good man also. Thank you sir I really appreciate©️©️

[@user-si7sw7xy4n]

台灣要給你機會嗎

[@user-si7sw7xy4n]

台灣沒有量子電腦嗎？

[@heaven9151]

My girl has virtual autism...what to do...she has myclonic epilepsy...what to do for it.MRI is normal

[@UmaDevi-bn8sw]

Visit this KZbin channel - "Blessings" A great help to children with autism

[@ashleyhicks1278]

implants & medications will most likely be the only option. but if I remember correctly autism & epilepsy are linked.

[@user-si7sw7xy4n]

怎樣

[@user-si7sw7xy4n]

怎麼

[@user-si7sw7xy4n]

為什麼

[@user-si7sw7xy4n]

飛碟都在台灣

[@user-si7sw7xy4n]

台灣沒有衛星科技嗎？

[@treborif]

I'm 63 and have had epileprosy - as i call it - since I was 10, from an MMR vaccine (there's that word!) when I was 21 I had a seizure on my motorcycle, crashed and had to have my leg amputated - right leg, above knee - so my life has not been easy. I've broken bones, knocked teeth out, torn an ear severly blah blah - it's a horribly debilitating affliction. Its stopped me working, destroyed relationships, affected pretty much everything in my life in one form or another. I've got to a point where I have a seizure evry couple of years or so, the last one before Xmas 2021. My medication is Lamictal and its almost as bad as the lepsy. causes mood swings, sleeplessness, delusional episodes and other horrible stuff. Of course I refused the cvd vaccine.

[@LifeIsWonderful675]

Terrible debilitating illness to have to live with, you have been through a terrible time like myself. l was left with seizures after numerous blows to the head through Domestic violence in 2004. l stopped the meds in 2012 because of the side effects, the seizures started out 6montly then turned to monthly because of medications. l have 1-5 seizures around the same time every month. l can't drive or work and have to be with someone when they happen, l had a bad fall in june & have been looking into the keto, carnivore diets

[@user-si7sw7xy4n]

岐視不是一天一月一年

[@user-si7sw7xy4n]

是？

[@user-si7sw7xy4n]

年又年

[@user-si7sw7xy4n]

什麼是AI

[@user-si7sw7xy4n]

台灣不缺外星人

[@user-si7sw7xy4n]

怎

[@user-si7sw7xy4n]

吃素

[@user-si7sw7xy4n]

台灣不會關心你怎麼樣

[@user-si7sw7xy4n]

你怕嗎？

[@mahilakkam7335]

Nobody is offering job to epilepsy people....establish a foundation to epilepsy people... please offer a jobs to all...who have epilepsy

[@user-si7sw7xy4n]

對地球80億人口有幫助嗎？

[@user-si7sw7xy4n]

不需要說謊話

[@user-si7sw7xy4n]

易經你懂嗎？

[@user-si7sw7xy4n]

台灣是國家嗎？

[@lindaibarra384]

MY SON HAD EPILEPSY AND HE GOT AN IMPLANT IT WASN'T SUCCESSFUL BC HE DIED IN THE SHOWER 🚿 2014

[@SicknessesPVP]

Not funny

[@lindaibarra384]

@@SicknessesPVP ITS not funny when you lose your beloved Son 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@lindaibarra384]

@Tina Parris THANK YOU TINA HIS ANNIVERSARY IS COMING UP ON DEC 9TH I PRAY FOR YOUR COMFORT AS WELL GOD BLESS YOU ❤❤🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@UmaDevi-bn8sw]

So very sorry for the loss.. RIP 🙏

[@lindaibarra384]

@@UmaDevi-bn8sw THANK YOU I MISS MY SON EVERY SINGLE DAY HE'S IN MY HEART ♥ FOREVER 😇😇😇😇😇

[@user-si7sw7xy4n]

不要說廢話

[@lingshong6049]

青年の主張とは、神イエス様の指示に、従う、宣誓演説の事なのです。

[@user-si7sw7xy4n]

怎麼

[@user-si7sw7xy4n]

怎

[@franciseke7792]

Dr Obulor on youtube is a great doctor, he works and effort towards curing my Son epilepsy is incomparable I appreciate you and your work doc may God continue to bless you Amen🙏

[@user-si7sw7xy4n]

不要說廢話