Department of Neurology

Epilepsy Program

Epilepsy Program

The Epilepsy Program at West Virginia University is a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of epilepsy.  Our staff epileptologists along with epilepsy neurosurgeons, dedicated neuroradiologists, neuropsychologists as well as dietitians and epilepsy trained nurses are all dedicated to providing the most complete and personalized care to each of our patients.

The primary treatment for patients with epilepsy is medication. The vast majority of patients with seizures can be easily controlled by using medications currently approved to treat epilepsy.  Each medication has benefits and side effects as well as different medications are appropriate for different types of epilepsy. The ketogenic diet is a treatment option for some children with seizures.  A complete evaluation by an epileptologist can determine which medications may work best for each patient.  In addition, there are continuously newer medications being studied but not yet approved by the Food and Drug Administration which may be another option for patients whose seizures are not controlled by the commonly used FDA approved medications.  WVU physicians are involved in multiple research trials, called clinical trials, in which patients receive free research medication and medical evaluation as volunteers in research study.  To ensure safety, patients are carefully evaluated during and after their participation in the clinical trials.

In many cases, epilepsy surgery is the best alternative for those patients that proved to be resistant to antiepileptic medication. Surgery typically involves disconnecting the seizure focus on the brain.  We consider the patients, their families and our multidisciplinary team as partners and we collaborate at each step of the evaluation process for successful surgery outcome in qualifying patients.  WVU offers different types of surgery for multiple types of epilepsy.  A variety of sophisticated diagnostic tests are used to determine if surgery is the best option.  We currently evaluate patients in our Epilepsy Monitoring Unit where over 420 patients are seen annually of all ages.  Of these approximately 50 of them would have surgery to reduce or even eliminate the life threatening seizures.

Vagal nerve stimulation is sometimes useful in reducing the number of seizures in patients who are not able to have seizure focus disconnection.  This is a devise implanted in the chest and neck which sends electrical impulses to the brain, and may be an option in patients that failed medications and are not surgical candidates.

The Epilepsy Surgery Team:

	Adriana E. Palade, M.D. Dr. Palade is the Director of the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit.
	Warren Boling, M.D.
	John F. Brick, M.D.
	Maria Moran, Ph.D.
	Alejandro Torres-Trejo, M.D.
	Tracy Weimer, M.D.

 

For information or referrals, please contact:
Daunice Lohr, RN, CNRN
Epilepsy Care Coordinator
P.O. Box 782
West Virginia University
Morgantown , WV 26506
Phone: 304-598-4852
Fax: 304-598-6443
E-mail: lohrd@rcbhsc.wvu.edu lohrd@rcbhsc.wvu.edu

Medical Access and Referral System (MARS)
1-800-WVA-MARS
1-800-982-6277