Patent ID: 8447407

Claim:
A method of detecting an impending seizure in a patient, the method comprising the steps of: monitoring at least one neuronal field potential in the brain of the patient, including monitoring at least one changed field potential characteristic selected from the group consisting of: an increase in the frequency of excitatory spikes during a decrease in the frequency of inhibitory spikes, a phase drift of the frequency of excitatory spikes with respect to a circadian rhythm, a phase drift of the frequency of inhibitory spikes with respect to a circadian rhythm, a faster phase drift of the frequency of excitatory spikes than the phase drift of the frequency of inhibitory spikes, a substantially out of phase relationship between excitatory spikes and inhibitory spikes, and a substantially anti-phase relationship between excitatory spikes and inhibitory spikes; wherein any of said changed field potential characteristics is indicative of epileptogenesis; and carrying out a therapeutic response if epileptogenesis is indicated, the response operative to reduce the likelihood of a seizure.