Epilepsy is a common serious neurological condition that affects 50 million people worldwide. The seizures are caused by abnormal bursts of electrical activity in the brain. Seizures can cause changes in behavior and emotions, strange sensations and sometimes convulsions, muscle spasms and loss of consciousness.
The Clinical Epilepsy Division of the Department of Neurology includes an outpatient clinic, the EEG laboratory, and the inpatient epilepsy-monitoring unit.
Faculty/Staff
Dr. Naim Haddad, MD
Dr. Bashir Shihabuddin, MD
To schedule on initial evaluation call 501-686-8000 to make an appointment with one of our epileptologists.
Clinical Research Staff
Laura Barganier, RN
Outpatient Clinic
The Neurology Clinic at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) is located on the 2nd Floor of the Stephens Spine Center. It consists of twelve examining rooms, on-site laboratory facilities for clinical and research purposes.
EEG Laboratory
The EEG Laboratory performs electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings on outpatients and inpatients with seizures, spells, as well as a variety of other conditions. The EEG, which records brain electrical activity, can provide evidence for epilepsy by demonstrating signs of electrical irritability.
Inpatient epilepsy-monitoring unit
Our four-bed monitoring unit is dedicated to confirming a diagnosis of epilepsy and pinpointing seizure activity and origin. Video and electroencephalographic recordings of seizure activity can be made 24 hours a day.
Treatment
Treatments are available that can successfully prevent seizures for most people with epilepsy. The first treatment almost always is one of the many FDA approved anti-epileptic medicines. People with epilepsy may have repeated seizures even after trying many treatments in different combinations. This is called refractory epilepsy. In addition to FDA approved pharmacology treatment with anti-epileptic drugs the Epilepsy Center at UAMS offers other treatment options such as pre-surgical evaluation and Vagus Nerve Stimulation for refractory epilepsy.
Pre-Surgical Evaluation
Some patients who do not respond to seizure medications may benefit from epilepsy surgery. In some forms of epilepsy, surgical treatment provides seizure freedom to 60-80% of operated patients. Neurologists perform comprehensive pre-surgical evaluations which usually include a detailed history and physical examination, EEG-video monitoring, special MRI scan, PET scan, neuropsychological testing, and Wada test, and may also include ictal SPECT scan, and functional MRI (fMRI) scans. In some instances electrode grids are implanted over the brain. Electrical stimulation of these electrodes helps localize functions in the brain that need to be preserved during surgery.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation
Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) is a treatment device that generates electrical impulses delivered to the vagus nerve in the neck. These impulses then indirectly affect the brain. The generator is a small, flat round battery that is surgically implanted under the skin over the chest or in the armpit. UAMS offers this procedure, which is FDA approved for use in adults and children over the age of 12 who have partial seizures that are resistant to medications. Since this procedure rarely stops seizures completely, it is offered mainly when brain surgery does not seem an option.
Education
The Epilepsy Division offers training to neurology residents, who rotate through the epilepsy clinic, EEG laboratory, and Epilepsy Monitoring Unit.
There are various education programs offered by the Division, including a year-long clinical neurophysiology course, multi-disciplinary epilepsy surgery conferences, and monthly journal review conference.
Research
The epileptologists at UAMS are actively involved in research and clinical trials to discover new therapies, drugs and medical advancements to improve quality of life for patients with epilepsy.
UAMS is currently accepting patients to participate in the clinical research trials.
Please contact Laura Barganier, RN at 501-526-6239 or email barganierlaura@uams.edu to learn more about each protocol and whether you may qualify. Your participation in any trial is entirely voluntary. You may decide to withdraw at any time without losing the benefits of your standard medical care.
