Why Choose Us
National Recognition
NewYork-Presbyterian is home to two Level 4 Comprehensive Epilepsy Centers, as designated by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers — the highest rank attainable. People treated at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center have access to internationally renowned experts in epilepsy care.
Dedicated centers for children
Our comprehensive Pediatric Epilepsy Centers at NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital and NewYork-Presbyterian Komansky Children's Hospital are among the most active programs on the East Coast and are major referral centers for the treatment of children with hard-to-control seizures. While our specialists teach young people with epilepsy how to advocate for their own healthcare needs as they get older, we work hard to connect young adult patients with appropriate specialists to transition into adult epilepsy care seamlessly.
Transitional care to adulthood
Your child probably doesn’t dream of managing their medical care like they do one day driving a car or going to college. But as children with epilepsy get older, taking ownership of their condition when the time comes is an essential part of becoming more independent.
At NewYork-Presbyterian, we help teens and young adults with epilepsy prepare to move from pediatric care to adult services. The decision at what age to transition varies from family to family but can begin during early adolescence. Typically pediatric patients have fully transitioned to adult care by age 22. This transition is important because policies and procedures vary from our pediatric and adult services. You should speak with your child’s neurologist about making the transition from pediatric to adult care. Your doctor can make recommendations based on your child’s maturity level and readiness to take on the responsibilities of care.
Locations
Accessible care throughout the region
In partnership with our main academic medical centers in Manhattan, we also offer specialized epilepsy services for children and adults across the New York area, with inpatient monitoring and outpatient care available in Brooklyn, Queens, and Westchester County. Our network makes it easy for patients to access care in the way that is most convenient for them, with a range of telehealth options also available at all centers.
Tips for epilepsy during the COVID crisis
Dr. Padmaja Kandula recommends the following tips for people with epilepsy:
- Maintain your medication supply. It is important to maintain an emergency reserve of your epilepsy medications, just in case there is an interruption in availability.
- Maintain a healthy daily routine with good sleep. Your normal routines may be disrupted due to the pandemic, however it is important to keep up with a healthy, consistent routine, and prioritize sleep. Since lack of sleep can increase seizure frequency, adjust to your new normal by establishing regular wake and sleep times. Aim for at least 8 hours of quality sleep.
- Practice self-care and reduce stress. It is important to maintain a good diet and limit alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine. Exercise can be very helpful, but discuss your exercise plans with your neurologist beforehand to make sure they are safe. Remember to make time to care for your mental health and limit stress where possible.
- Stay connected during times of isolation. Consider ways you can connect with family and friends using phone, email, or video chats.
- Create a seizure action plan. Educate yourself and your loved ones about what to do if you have a seizure and create a seizure action plan in collaboration with your neurologist. This plan will include when to seek emergency care.
- Advocate for yourself. Be assertive with your neurologic care and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Discuss your current treatment plan and other potential treatment options with your doctor. Lastly, keep yourself on track, set healthy goals for the coming year and work towards your personal best.
Our Approach to Care
Support for patients with epilepsy and their families
Epilepsy is a disease of the brain characterized by unprovoked seizures. If you are one of the more than 2.7 million Americans living with epilepsy, our team understands how much this illness can affect your quality of life including your ability to work, raise a family, or go to school. We are committed to working with you to find the best treatment to control your seizures.
Both adult and pediatric epilepsy care begins with an accurate diagnosis. In our state-of-the-art Epilepsy Monitoring Units, we combine video and electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring to assess seizure type, location, and frequency. We sometimes place electrodes on the brain (intracranial monitoring) and may perform imaging exams and neuropsychological testing to confirm your diagnosis.
Based on your test results, we provide you with a tailored treatment plan that may include the latest antiseizure medications, minimally invasive ablation procedures, surgery, and/or changes in your diet. You may also have the opportunity to participate in clinical trials, led by our physician scientists, of new treatments that are not yet available.
Featured Stories
News
Dr. Feldstein Explains New Options in Epilepsy Surgery Dr. Feldstein Explains New Options in Epilepsy Surgery
Epilepsy affects about 1 percent of children and young adults. Fortunately that’s not a huge percentage, but for those who suffer from the condition, it is a lot. Many of these patients’ seizures can be brought under control with medication. But sometimes it is not possible to control seizures with medication. In those cases, their epilepsy is classified as medically refractory. For young people with medically refractory epilepsy, families sometimes turn to pediatric neurosurgeons like Dr. Neil Feldstein.
Inside NYP: Dr. Cigdem Akman Inside NYP: Dr. Cigdem Akman
The chief of child neurology reflects on how she left Turkey to advance her medical career and, in the process, found a new home in the U.S.
New Hope for Epilepsy Patients New Hope for Epilepsy Patients
The FDA approves the first drug derived from marijuana to treat rare conditions that begin in childhood.
Amazing Things are Happening Here
Patients Stories
I had been living with seizures all my life and I said, ‘Enough is enough.
My doctors were amazing and were there for me every step of the way. I was so happy that they were the team who took care of me.
Awards & Recognition
