Seizure disorders, including epilepsy, are not uncommon. Over 2 million people in the USA are affected. Unfortunately, after they are diagnosed and initially treated, some people with epilepsy go years without re-evaluating their personal situation or finding out about advances in treatment. Some people with epilepsy have not even participated in long-term monitoring, a diagnostic tool crucial to the identification of the best treatment option.
In truth, more new medicines for epilepsy have come on the market in the past 12 years than for any other disease condition. Most seizures can successfully be controlled by medications. Advances in non-invasive surgery, along with these new medications, mean many people can be free of seizures permanently—both good reasons to have your condition re-evaluated.
Patients may be self-referred for referred by their physician. Patients are seen at the Epilepsy Center Mondays through Friday at the Center for Advanced Medicine, 4921 Parkview Place, St. Louis, 63110.
FOR APPOINTMENTS AT THE EPILEPSY CENTER, PLEASE CALL (314)
362-7845.
The adult epilepsy consultants include four full-time faculty physicians. Visit the physicians’ personal biography pages by clicking on the links below.
The biography pages provide background on each physician, along with his or her office locations, any special clinica
l interests, and whether he or she is accepting new patients.
Full-Time Clinical Faculty
R. Edward Hogan, MD, director
Lawrence Eisenman, MD
Luigi Maccotta, MD, PhD
Samiya Rashid, DO
The clinicians at Washington University Epilepsy Center participate in numerous trials of new antiepileptic medications.
Washington University was one of the first medical centers in the United States to use brain surgery on a regular basis to successfully treat patients with seizure disorders not able to be treated successfully with medications.
World Leaders in Brain Imaging for Adult Epilepsy
Washington University neurosurgeons have performed over 350 surgeries for epilepsy including implantation of intracranial electrodes, removal of brain areas where seizures originate, interruption of neural pathways by which seizures originate and spread, and implantation of vagus nerve stimulators. More recently the center has developed less invasive surgical techniques using MRI-guidance for pinpoint accuracy.
Neuroradiologists at the University’s Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology have been world leaders by inventing new brain imaging techniques with magnetic imaging resonance (MRI) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) useful to assist in localizing seizure activity. Electroencephalograms (EEGs) are done to identify brain wave activity which can then be correlated with the patient’s clinical symptoms to assess treatment options. The epilepsy team is on the leading edge of information about epilepsy and other seizure disorders.
Best Candidates for Treatment at the Epilepsy Center
Patients seen at the Epilepsy Center include people who:
question the diagnosis or cause of seizures
are newly diagnosed with seizures
have seizures that not responded to conventional antiepileptic medications
are candidates and interested in participating in research using investigational antiepileptic medications
have seizures that are controlled, but are experiencing adverse effects from antiepileptic medication
want a second opinion, or need additional education and counseling regarding epilepsy
are also affected by depression or mood disorders
are women with epilepsy who have concerns regarding their care including contraception and/or pregnancy
At Washington University, a multidisciplinary team treats adults with epilepsy and other seizure disorders. Services include diagnosis and evaluation, medical management, surgical treatment, education and counseling.
Diagnosis and Evaluation for Epilepsy
One important tool for diagnosing and evaluating response to treatment is continuous video EEG monitoring, which is done in the hospital, rather than the epilepsy clinic, because it can take up to a week to complete. The seizure consultants have special expertise in this area. Special tests done during monitoring give physicians more tools than ever to find the treatment most appropriate for the patient.
Surgical Treatment for Epilepsy
Neurologists in the Epilepsy Center work closely with neurosurgeons and met weekly about patients who may benefit from surgical techniques. Washington University School of Medicine has an active program in the surgical treatment of epilepsy for both adults and children with medically intractable seizures. New operations and advances in computer software allow planning of neurosurgical procedures with minimal disruption of normal brain. For more information on specific surgical techniques for epilepsy, visit the epilepsy surgery site.