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Epilepsy overview
The University of Utah has a long and distinguished history in epilepsy research, particularly in regard to antiepileptic drug (AED) development and the genetics of epilepsy. The integrated epilepsy program at the University of Utah builds on this history by promoting collaboration among basic, translational, and clinical researchers.
The integrated epilepsy program supports the full range of epilepsy research, teaching and service, with particular focus on how brain injury leads to epilepsy, with an emphasis on children and the immature brain, the development of new therapies for intractable epilepsy, and how genetic mechanisms contribute to the epilepsies.
Program members are primarily drawn from clinical and basic science departments in the School of Medicine, the College of Pharmacy, and the College of Engineering. Among the clinical departments presently involved in epilepsy research and clinical care are the Departments of Neurology, Neurosurgery, Pediatrics, and Obstetrics and Gynecology. Basic-science departments with epilepsy researchers include Human Genetics, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Physiology, Bioengineering, and Computing.
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Epilepsy Experts
Epilepsy - Primary Interest
Pegah Afra, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Neurology
Clinical adult epilepsy; electroencephalography and magnetoencephalography
James F. Bale, M.D.
Professor
Department of Pediatrics
Clinical pediatric epilepsy
Joanna C. Beachy, M.D., Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Pediatrics
Neonatology; neonatal seizures; perinatal hypozic-ischemic brain injury
Steven L. Bealer, Ph.D.
Professor
Pharmacology & Toxicology
Cardiovascular effects of seizures and status epilepticus; animal models of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP)
Tawyna Constantino, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Neurology
Clinical adult epilepsy; electroencephalography; presurgical patient evaluation
William Crowley, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair
Pharmacology & Toxicology
Neuroendocrine and neurochemical factors that regulate the secretion of anterior and posterior pituitary hormones; effects of seizures and status epilepticus on feeding and the reproductive system
F. Edward Dudek, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair
Physiology
Basic mechanisms of epileptogenesis; pre-clinical research on status epilepticus and epilepsy; antiepileptic drugs
Jeffrey J. Ekstrand, M.D., Ph.D. (CV .pdf)
Assistant Professor
Pediatrics
Clinical pediatric epilepsy; basic research on status epilepticus and epilepsy syndromes in animal models of pediatric epilepsy
Francis M. Filloux, M.D.
Professor
Pediatrics
Clinical pediatric epilepsy.
Michael R. Franklin, Ph.D.
Professor
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs); AED-induction of metabolic enzymes.
Michael Funke, MD., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Neurology
Clinical application of magnetic source imaging (MSI) to human epilepsy; integration of MSI with other functional imaging modalities; magnetoencephalography (MEG), electroencephalography (EEG) and intracranial electrocorticogram (ECoG) recordings.
Bradley E. Greger, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Bioengineering
Basic research on cortical circuits using multi-channel electrode arrays in humans and animal models.
Paul A. House, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Neurosurgery
Clinical epilepsy neurosurgery in adults; chronic multi-channel recordings from humans.
Christopher R. Johnson, Ph.D.
Professor
Computer Science
Computational techniques and tools/software building patient specific computer models from MRI/CT images (segmentation, mesh generation), simulating the bioelectric fields within the head (inverse source localization), and visualizing the results.
John R. W. Kestle, M.D., M.Sc.
Professor
Neurosurgery
Surgical management of children with epilepsy including temporal, extratemporal, hemispherectomy, callosotomy, vagal nerve stimulation, subdural monitoring and mapping.
Mark F. Leppert, Ph.D.
Distinguished Professor and Chair
Human Genetics
Genetics of human epilepsy; animal models of genetic epilepsy.
Fumisuke Matsuo, M.D.
Professor
Neurology
Clinical adult epilepsy; electroencephalography.
Awais Riaz, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Neurology
Clinical adult epilepsy; electroencephalography, intraoperative monitoring.
Peter Roper, Ph.D.
Research Associate
Physiology
Computer analysis of electrographic seizures and status epilepticus; neuronal computational modeling.
Nanda A. Singh, Ph.D.
Post Doc
Human Genetics
Genetics of human epilepsy; animal models of genetic epilepsy.
Roy M. Smeal, Ph.D.
Research Assistant Professor
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Pharmacology of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs).
Kimberly D. Statler, M.D., M.P.H.
Assistant Professor
Pediatrics
Pediatric intensivist; traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic epilepsy in children.
Colin B. Van Orman, M.D.
Professor
Pediatrics
Clinical trials on antiepileptic drugs. Presurgical evaluation in children.
H. Steve White, Ph.D
Professor
Pharmacology & Toxicology
Antiepileptic drug pharmacology; screening and development of new antiepileptic drugs (AEDs).
Karen S.Wilcox, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Pharmacology & Toxicology
Basic mechanisms underlying epileptogenesis, seizure generation, and pharmacotherapy resistance to anticonvulsant drugs; uses electrophysiological, pharmacological, behavioral, and immunohistochemical techniques in a variety of in vitro preparations and several animal models of epilepsy.
Epilepsy - Secondary Interest
Pamela C. Bennett, Ph.D.
Research Biologist / VISN 19 MIRECC Investigator
Department of Psychiatry
Ronald S. Bloom, M.D.
Professor
Department of Pediatrics
Deirdre Caplan, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Pediatrics
Gordon J. Chelune, Ph.D.
Professor
Neurology
William T. Couldwell, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor
Neurosurgery
Kathleen B. Digre, M.D.
Professor
Neurology, Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
Kevin M. Flanigan, M.D.
Human Genetics & Neurology
Norman L. Foster, M.D.
Neurology
John M. Hoffman, M.D.
Willard Snow Hansen Presidential Endowed Chair in Cancer Research
Professor of Radiology and Neurology
Radiology, HCI
Edward W. Hsu, Ph.D.
Bioengineering
Randy L. Jensen, M.D., Ph.D.
Neurosurgery
Kirtly P. Jones, M.D.
Professor
Obstetrics/Gynecology
Raymond P. Kesner, Ph.D.
Psychology
Joseph L. Lyon, M.D., M.P.H.
Professor
Family and Preventative Medicine
Ronald J. Miller, M.D.
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Radiology
Mahmud N. Nanjee, Ph.D.
Research Associate Professor
Cardiovascular Genetics
Douglas S. Nelson, M.D.
Professor
Pediatrics
Dennis L. Parker, Ph.D.
Radiology
John D. Phillips, Ph.D.
Research Associate Professor
Internal Medicine
Theodore J. Pysher, M.D.
Professor
Pathology
Edward P. Quigley, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor (Clinical)
Radiology
Scott W. Rogers, Ph.D.
Neurobiology & Anatomy
Douglas E. Rollins, M.D.
Professor
Pharmacy
Karen L. Salzman, M.D.
Associate Professor
Radiology
Ken R. Smith, Ph.D.
Professor
Family and Consumer Studies
Terry P. Smith, D.P.M.
Assistant Professor
Vascular Surgery
Edwin A. Stevens, M.D.
Professor
Radiology
Joel A. Thompson, M.D.
Professor
Pediatrics
Keith G. Tolman, M.D.
Professor
Gastroenterology
Marion L Walker, M.D.
Professor
Neurosurgery
John A. White, Ph.D.
Professor
Bioengineering
Basic mechanisms of neuronal synchronization and seizure generation; mechanisms of spread of electrical activity through hippocampus and entorhinal cortex; cellular electrophysiology and imaging techniques.
Epilepsy - Administrators
Edward B. Clark, M.D.
Professor
Chairman of Pediatrics
William R. Crowley, Ph.D.
Pharmacology & Toxicology
F. Edward Dudek, Ph.D.
Professor and Chairman
Physiology
William M. McMahon, M.D.
Psychiatry
Thomas N. Parks, Ph.D.
Vice President for Research
Stefan M. Pulst, M.D.
Chairman
Neurology
Richard D. Rabbitt, Ph.D.
Chairman of Bioengineering
Monica L. Vetter, Ph.D.
Interim Chair
Neurobiology & Anatomy
John A. White, Ph.D.
Professor
Bioengineering
Epilepsy - Post Docs
Anitha B. Alex
Post Doc
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Atif Ali
Post Doc
Physiology
Mark Lehmkuhle
Physiology
Wendy Pouliot
Post Doc
Physiology
Li-Rong Shao
Post Doc
Physiology
Ajay K. Srivastava
Post Doc
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Nanda A. Singh, PhD
Post Doc
Human Genetics
Cristina Trandafir
Post Doc
Physiology
Epilepsy - Graduate Students
Eli Iacob
Graduate Student
Neuroscience Program
Wilcox Laboratory
Jason G. Little
Graduate Student
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Christina Rossi
Graduate Student
Psychiatry and Physiology
Nicole M. Rowley
Graduate Student
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Jay R. Vargas
Graduate Student
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Andrew Zayachkivsky
Graduate Student
Physiology
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Epilepsy Your Brain
Defining Epilepsy
People who have epilepsy suffer from periodic seizures that may result in unconsciousness, muscle spasms, and falls. The cause of epilepsy is unknown in 50 to 70 percent of cases, but we do know that head injury, stroke, or brain tumors can trigger seizures. Although medication and/or surgery can help most people with epilepsy, there are many epileptics who do not respond to any available treatment.
While epilepsy cannot currently be cured, most people with epilepsy are able to live fairly normal lives. However, for some people, epilepsy can limit their freedoms. For example, some states won’t give drivers licenses to people with epilepsy, and some people with epilepsy are unable to pursue certain jobs and recreational activities. Also, the frustration and humiliation that some epileptics experience can cause behavioral and emotional problems.
Understanding the Brain’s Role in Epilepsy
Epilepsy causes brief disturbances in the brain that interfere with its normal electrical patterns and cause seizures. Abnormality in the brain wiring or an imbalance in the brain’s neurotransmitters can contribute to epilepsy. Normal brain activity can’t return until the disturbances stop.
The seizures may be caused by conditions at birth, or from illness, injury, or exposure to toxins. If the seizures continue to occur, the condition is diagnosed as epilepsy.
What You Need to Know
Epilepsy is one of the most widely stigmatized brain disorders, and that alone can have devastating consequences. Epilepsy is far more common than most people realize, and new treatment options are making it possible for most patients to lead productive and fulfilling lives. If you or a loved one experience even one seizure, get a medical diagnosis. Don’t let fear or misperceptions keep you from getting help. Research has shown that early treatment and continued monitoring of epilepsy can help greatly in minimizing the effects of the disorder.
Sources of Information about Epilepsy
Epilepsy Association of Utah
The Epilepsy Association of Utah provides resources for families and individuals in Utah who suffer from the effects of epilepsy.
Epilepsy Therapy Project
The Epilepsy Therapy Project exists to overcome the barriers to successful translation of promising new research insights and to make new therapies a reality for patients.
Epilepsy Foundation
Dedicated to the welfare of people with epilepsy, to work for children and adults affected by seizures through research, education, advocacy and service.
American Epilepsy Society
In support and enhancement of the study, acquisition, dissemination, and application of medical knowledge concerning epilepsy in all of its phases: biological, clinical and social.
