Each year, more than 2,000 patients from around the world visit the Epilepsy Center at The George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates for evaluation and treatment. Here members of the Center's medical team, which includes neurologists, neuroradiologists, neurosurgeons, psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, neuropathologists, nurses, rehabilitation specialists and social workers, are dedicated to helping people with epilepsy and other seizure disorders live productive, independent lives.

Diagnostic Testing Identifies the Source
"Patients who come to the Epilepsy Center first receive extensive diagnostic testing to define the seizure-involved regions of the brain and the areas important for speech, memory and other vital functions," says Samuel J. Potolicchio, MD, Professor of Neurology. The diagnostic testing is an extension of electroencephalography (EEG), which monitors a patient's brain waves through electrodes placed on the scalp. The patient wears the electrodes for 24 hours to give physicians a prolonged picture of brain activity during normal activities and sleep.

The Center also offers inpatient and outpatient facilities equipped with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), angiography and magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Anthony J. Caputy, MD, Chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery Samuel J. Potolicchio, MD, Professor of Neurology

Precise Surgical Solutions
About 10 percent of epilepsy patients have seizures that cannot be controlled with medications and they may require surgery. According to Anthony J. Caputy, MD, Chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery, the most common procedure involves removing the section of the brain in which the seizures originate. This is usually part of either temporal lobe, located on the sides of the brain at ear level. "We have the technology to map the brain and pinpoint exactly where the seizures are coming from," says Dr. Caputy, who has been performing epilepsy surgeries side by side with Dr. Potolicchio for more than 20 years. "This enables us to do a very precise procedure that has an 85 percent success rate."

When seizures come from an area that cannot be removed, Dr. Caputy can perform procedures to disrupt the nerve pathways that cause the abnormal electrical signals to spread. For example, cutting the corpus callosum, the bundle of nerves that connects the sides of the brain, can greatly reduce seizure frequency. Drs. Caputy, Potolicchio and Dr. James Leiphart, neurosurgeon, also are participating in clinical trials for an implantable device, similar to a cardiac pacemaker, that can detect abnormal brain activity and emit impulses to prevent seizures.

An Integrated Approach
The Epilepsy Center team meets weekly to discuss cases and make sure each patient's unique needs are being addressed. "We understand that seizures impact patient's lives in different ways, and there's no 'one-size-fits-all' approach to treatment," Dr. Potolicchio says. "Our goal is to develop a specific plan for each patient to reduce or eliminate seizures and help them tackle this condition without fear."

What Is Epilepsy?
More than 3 million Americans have epilepsy, a neurological condition that causes brief, strong surges of electrical activity, or seizures, in part or all of the brain. Seizures can occur as convulsions or loss of consciousness, or they can involve blank staring or lip smacking. Most seizures last a few minutes, but confusion after seizures can last longer. Epilepsy usually is diagnosed after an individual experiences at least two seizures that did not have a known cause, such as extremely low blood sugar.

Are You or a Loved One Living with Epilepsy?
To make an appointment at the Epilepsy Center, please call 202-741-2700.

900 23rd St., NW, Washington, DC 20037 (202) 715-4000