Non-Pharmacological Treatment of Epilepsy

Non-Pharmacological Treatment of Epilepsy: Surgery, Diet and Stimulation
by Patricia Dean, ARNP, M.S.N., Miami Children’s Hospital.

Instructions:
Option #1: To watch and listen simultaneously on your computer: Click on the link below ("Click here to begin") to view slides and hear audio together. You will need Flash Player 6.0 or higher to view the presentation.

Option #2: To print the slides and review: Download and print the handout materials for the program by clicking on the word PowerPoint below.

Lecture

Target Audience
This program is designed for neuroscience and advanced practice nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, behavioral health professionals, pharmacists, general neurologists and others involved in the care of persons with epilepsy who are interested in enhancing their ability to treat and counsel their patients.

Program Goal:
To offer professionals in epilepsy care the most up-to-date tools and knowledge so that they can provide the best treatment and education to patients and their families.

Program Objectives
Upon completion of this program, participants should be able to:

  1. Define intractable epilepsy.
  2. Describe the three diets used in the treatment and management of epilepsy.
  3. Explain the surgical options for treatment of epilepsy.

This program will review the percentage of patients that have seizure freedom with medications and the definition of medical intractability. The speaker will provide a study results on the ketogenic diet, the modified Atkins diet and the low glycemic index diet. This will be followed by a discussion of when patients are candidates for resective surgery including risks and benefits. She will cover the different surgical procedures and describe the Vagus Nerve Stimulation device. Ongoing studies on deep brain and cortical stimulation will also be discussed.

Faculty
Patricia Dean, ARNP, M.S.N, Clinical Coordinator, Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Miami Children’s Hospital, Miami, FL

Ms. Dean coordinates the care of patients admitted to the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit. She performs rounds on the inpatients with the epileptologists and neurosurgeons and provides ongoing epilepsy education to the staff. Pat programs the Vagus Nerve Stimulators and is responsible for the long-term follow up of the surgical patients. In addition, she sees patients independently in the clinic, providing education and counseling to patients and families. Pat works with the local Epilepsy Foundation affiliate to obtain other services for patients and families.