Surgeons at UAMS recently became the first in the state to transplant interneuron cell therapy—called NRTX-1001—into the brain of a patient with non-lesional epilepsy. The procedure is part of an FDA-approved clinical trial being conducted at select locations across the United States.
Four months after his five-hour surgery, 33-year-old Tyler Priddy of Hot Springs has reported a significant reduction in all three types of seizures that have shaped his life for more than two decades.
“This treatment has the potential to change the landscape of epilepsy care,” said Dr. Sisira Yadala, neurologist and principal investigator for the study at UAMS. “The transplanted cells are a specialized lineage of human interneurons with the capacity to migrate through brain tissue, integrate into existing neural circuits and regulate local network activity.”
The innovative therapy, developed by Neurona Therapeutics, uses interneurons made from human stem cells. These cells produce GABA, a neurotransmitter that helps calm overactive brain signals. When injected into the hippocampus, it’s hoped that these cells reduce seizure activity by restoring chemical balance.
“This approach could eliminate the need for anti-seizure medications, brain tissue removal or bulky stimulators that require periodic battery replacements,” said Dr. Viktoras Palys, who performed the procedure along with Dr. Brooke Elberson.
Priddy was the 19th participant in the study and the first with non-lesional epilepsy to undergo this type of treatment, which targets seizure-prone areas even when brain scans show no visible damage.
“I’m not worried about it,” Priddy said. “I’m confident.”
Before surgery, Priddy endured frequent tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizures every few weeks, along with focal seizures twice a week and aura seizures twice daily. Since the surgery, he has had only one tonic-clonic seizure in three months. His focal seizures are down to one every two weeks, and aura seizures now occur about every other day.
The stakes for Priddy were high. His seizures had caused serious injuries, multiple car accidents and limited his ability to work and drive, despite having two master’s degrees and a family to support.
“Results will take several months, as the transplanted cells need time to integrate into the brain network and be recognized as the brain’s own,” said Palys.
The Phase I/II trial, underway for over two years, is open to adults ages 18–75 with drug-resistant mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. Participants must have tried at least two anti-seizure medications without success and experience at least four seizures every 28 days.
While this therapy is not yet available for those with primary generalized epilepsy, future studies may expand its reach depending on the trial’s outcomes. A double-blind, randomized trial is expected to launch in late 2025.
Feature Photo: Tyler Priddy at a follow-up visit at UAMS in May. Credit: UAMS
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