According to the World Health Organisation, at least 6 million people in Europe have epilepsy and up to up to 40% of people with this condition may be untreated. By combining chemistry and technology it is now possible to monitor epileptic patients wherever they are.
UCB Biosciences, a pharmaceutical company which develops medication to treat epilepsy, joined forces with academics, medical professionals, and others to develop a device that can detect and analyse epileptic attacks on a more permanent basis. The ultimate aim being to perfect the treatment of the condition.
There are several aspects where chemistry plays a role from the patch with the sensors to the device itself. The device, not too dissimilar from a hearing aid, can be worn behind the ear. Rather than needing to go to the hospital for a diagnosis of the attacks, this device monitors patients over longer period of time in the comfort of their own homes.
