British doctor turns to AI after learning his mother has hours to live, helps identify vitamin deficiencies causing seizures
An English doctor turned to artificial intelligence (AI) in a desperate attempt to save his mother after hospital staff warned him she had just hours to live. The technology helped identify a vitamin deficiency linked to his Parkinson’s medications, leading to treatment that ended his life-threatening seizures.
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Edward Patrick, an NHS anesthetist from Oxfordshire, told the Sunday Times that his mother, Ann Patrick, was admitted to the Queen’s Medical Center in Nottingham after suffering continuous seizures which doctors struggled to explain.
A desperate search for answers
The incident happened in May when Edward received a phone call at 4am, telling him to go to hospital immediately as his mother was “close to death”.
While driving from Oxfordshire to Nottingham, Edward received a text message from his brother suggesting that a vitamin deficiency could explain their mother’s condition.
At the hospital, Edward entered his symptoms, medical exams and test results into an AI tool. The technology suggested that a vitamin B6 deficiency associated with his Parkinson’s medications could be responsible for the seizures.
Edward shared his findings with the medical team, who then administered vitamin B6 intravenously. The seizures stopped almost immediately.
Recalling the dramatic turnaround, Edward likened the experience to a “House moment”, referencing the medical television series starring Dr. Gregory House.
“There’s no other way to describe it,” he told the Sunday Times.
“Every time I tell the story, I think, ‘Am I making this up?’ Get out of the jaws of death. He only had a few hours left (to live),” he added.
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What is the cause of the medical emergency?
Ann had developed rhabdomyolysis, a life-threatening condition involving the breakdown of muscle tissue.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, this disease releases harmful substances into the bloodstream, potentially damaging the kidneys. Severe seizures are among its possible triggers.
The Sunday Times reported that long-term use of certain Parkinson’s medications may contribute to vitamin B6 deficiency, although such serious complications are rare.
Since receiving her treatment, Ann, who is approaching 60, has shown significant improvement and has not required another hospitalization, according to her son.
Reflecting on her recovery, Ann said: “I just can’t accept that such a small thing can make such a big difference to your life or death. »
“I’m a proud mom, absolutely,” she added.
Gn Health
