Neurology &
Neurological Sciences–
Existing Strengths
  1. New drug and device therapies for epilepsy based upon research advances
    1. a. Brain stimulation for epilepsy; the two key trials are led by Stanford faculty
    2. Stanford is leading in new technology for delivering epilepsy drugs
    3. Research at Stanford will give insights into new classes of medicines
    4. Participation in numerous clinical trials of new medications
  2. Best available methods for diagnosing epilepsy, versus its many imitators
    1. Stanford has a state-of-the-art inpatient Epilepsy Monitoring diagnostic unit
    2. Our faculty has written key textbooks on "Imitators of Epilepsy"
    3. Stanford faculty developed a blood test to diagnose seizures (finger-stick prolactin)
    4. Dr. Parvizi is using innovative brain imaging techniques to track seizures in the brain
  3. Stanford is a Class IV (highest level) epilepsy surgery center
    1. Capability for all types of epilepsy surgery in adults and children
    2. Categorized as a "Comprehensive Epilepsy Center" for total patient care
    3. Available nurse specialists, neuropsychologists, technologists
    4. d. Stanford has 3 expert epilepsy surgeons: Drs. Lawrence Shuer, Michael Edwards and Jaimie Henderson
  4. Strong basic research base leading to a cure for epilepsy
    1. Dr. David Prince is considered by many to be the world's "Dean of epilepsy research"
    2. Dr. John Huguenard is the world's expert on mechanisms of petit mal (absence) epilepsy
    3. Dr. Paul Buckmaster is making major advances in detecting how the brain responds to seizures
    4. d. A gene for one type of epilepsy was discovered by Dr. Richard Myers in the Stanford Department of Genetics
  5. Special expertise in psychiatric and behavioral problems of epilepsy
    1. The inpatient epilepsy unit is attended daily by a professor of Psychiatry, Dr. John Barry, known internationally for expertise in psychiatric problems of people with epilepsy.
    2. Stanford has developed unique therapy programs for patients with non-epileptic seizures.
  6. Women's issues
    1. Dr. Martha Morrell is a world leader in womens' issues in epilepsy.
    2. Effects of anti-epileptic medications on bone density in women were documented at Stanford
  7. Teaching and Training
    1. Stanford has trained several generations of academic epilepsy leaders
    2. Active clinical and basic research training activities
    3. Broad program of community teaching about epilepsy
    4. Stanford faculty edits epilepsy.com, the world's main epilepsy website
    5. Stanford faculty edited Epilepsia, the world's main epilepsy scientific journal
  8. Links to the community. Stanford faculty have:
    1. Served as President of the American Epilepsy Society (2 faculty)
    2. Served as President of the Epilepsy Foundation of America
    3. Chaired and talked at numerous community education symposia
  9. EEG lab
    1. The EEG (routine brainwave) studies: 765 done in 2006; 976 in 2007; 1084 in 2008
    2. Epilepsy video-EEG Monitoring diagnostic Unit: 253 patients in 2006; 324 in 2007; 441 in 2008
    3. Intraoperative monitoring is active under direction of Drs. Jaimie Lopez and Charlie Cho.
    4. Stanford faculty have been active in developing software for clinical EEG use.

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