June 3, 2022

The future of epilepsy management is here: Seer unveils seizure risk forecast

Important news for the 250,000 Australians living with epilepsy today with the release of Seer’s seizure risk forecasting technology.

Developed in Melbourne, this world-first non-invasive technology accessible via the Seer app uses recorded events to uncover an individual’s personal seizure cycles and patterns. Research indicates that around 85% of people with epilepsy have underlying seizure cycles. From these cycles, the app produces a personalised seizure risk forecast determining when individuals are more or less likely to have a seizure.

Similar to a weather forecast but for seizure risk, these insights help to remove some of the uncertainty of living with epilepsy and allow individuals to be better prepared.

With risk forecasts available across 24-hour and month-long timescales, decisions around when to catch up with friends, when to schedule a holiday, or whether to work from home or go into the office are now possible with greater certainty.

The result of ongoing scientific research and multiple collaborations, this advancement has been over a decade in the making.

“Support from the BioMedTech Horizons Program, a Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) initiative administered by MTPConnect, as well as a long-term collaboration via the ‘My Seizure Gauge’ project have been essential in bringing this technology to market,” explains Seer CEO, Dr Dean Freestone.

“The ‘My Seizure Gauge’ project – instigated and funded by the Epilepsy Foundation of America – brought Seer together with experts from the Mayo Clinic and King’s College London to tackle the challenge of making a non-invasive, wearable and personalised seizure forecasting system. After 4 years of development, it is an incredible achievement and an honour to now make this technology widely accessible via the Seer app.”

Epileptic seizures are sudden, potentially catastrophic events that can be life-threatening for people living with epilepsy. The unpredictability of epileptic seizures exposes people with epilepsy to potential physical harm, restricts day-to-day activities, and impacts mental well-being.

“Living each day without knowing when a seizure might occur can have significant and lasting effects – ranging from confusion or embarrassment all the way through to severe safety concerns,” explains Dr Freestone. “This uncertainty has been the reality – until now.”

Available to the public at no charge, the release marks an important step in Seer’s mission to help people living with epilepsy take back control of their health.

“Making the seizure risk forecast freely available via the Seer app is so important to us and is one of the key reasons why we founded Seer.”

“Seizure forecasting is more than just a warning, it’s about what it unlocks for the individual. Forecasting enables the most valuable things in life: it can mean the difference between feeling confident enough to hold your baby, go out to a restaurant or connect more with loved ones. In short, it’s about living life fully. This could be life changing.”

To learn more about the Seer app and seizure risk forecasting, visit www.seermedical.com/au/health