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Riley Children's Health

Comprehensive Epilepsy Program

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317.944.6201
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Children with epilepsy may need a wide range of care depending on the type of seizures they experience. The Comprehensive Epilepsy Program at Riley at IU Health can help your family manage your child’s epilepsy.

Why Riley at IU Health for Epilepsy Care

Why Riley at IU Health for Epilepsy Care

Riley at IU Health has the only Level 4 Comprehensive Epilepsy Program in Indiana as defined by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC). Level 4 programs like ours have enhanced imaging techniques, clinical experts and innovative technology to perform advanced medical and surgical evaluations for patients with medically refractory epilepsy – epilepsy that’s hard to manage with medications. Our multi-disciplinary program is comprised of:

  • Pediatric epileptologists (epilepsy specialists)
  • Neuropsychologists
  • Pediatric neurosurgeons
  • Dietitians
  • Social workers
  • Neurophysiology technicians

We diagnose and manage new-onset pediatric and teenage epilepsy. Our providers are experts in hard-to-treat intractable epilepsy. The Comprehensive Epilepsy Program is actively involved in epilepsy research and continues to innovate minimally invasive epilepsy surgery. Our team will work to find treatments that will control or reduce your child’s seizures.

Our program uses a wide range of expert knowledge to treat all types of epilepsy. These range from the most common to more rare forms, including:

Focal epilepsy syndromes due to:

  • Structural brain malformations (stroke, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, hemimegalencephaly)
  • Low-grade tumors
  • Malformations (focal cortical dysplasia, heterotopias, schizencephaly)
  • Mesial temporal sclerosis
  • Neurocutaneous syndromes (tuberous sclerosis and Sturge-Weber syndrome)

Generalized epilepsy syndromes, including:

  • Absence seizures
  • Atonic seizures
  • Genetic epilepsy syndromes
  • Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
  • Myoclonic seizures
  • Tonic seizures
  • Tonic-clonic seizures

Diagnosing Epilepsy

Our board-certified pediatric neurologists and fellowship-trained epileptologists are trained to treat epilepsy and seizures. They work with other doctors and nurses who are specialists in general pediatric neurology, neurosurgery and nutrition. They will work together to find the best treatment plan for your child.

What is Medically Refractory Epilepsy?

Medically refractory epilepsy is defined as continued seizures despite effective doses of multiple medications. The chances of these patients being cured with medications are less than 3%.

Neurological Surgery in these patients is far more effective and less dangerous than continued ineffective medications. These patients undergo what’s called “Phase 1.” In this phase, noninvasive pre-surgical data is collected including:

  • Medical history & physical exam
  • Video EEG (VEEG)
  • Structural and functional neuroimaging
  • Neuropsychology testing

This data is evaluated by a pediatric epileptologist and presented to the Comprehensive Epilepsy Program team. A care plan is then developed which could include:

  • Further testing
  • Medications or diet therapies
  • Surgery

What to Expect at Riley at IU Health

What to Expect at Riley at IU Health

Our program coordinator ensures efficient timing for tests during the Phase 1 evaluation. We provide families with training in managing epilepsy. We also educate families on using dietary therapies, including the modified Atkins and ketogenic diets.

Our Monitoring Unit

We provide a five-bed monitoring unit to study patients and gain more information about your child's seizures. Patients who are being evaluated for surgery may also stay in this unit. The epilepsy specialists (epileptologists) use prolonged video electroencephalogram (VEEG) to better understand each patient’s seizure type and epilepsy syndrome. This information assists the patient’s neurologist in making appropriate treatment decisions.

Your Child's Epilepsy Care Plan

As part of this comprehensive approach, patients see a neurosurgeon and epileptologist together following the Phase 1 evaluation to discuss your child’s care plan. This one visit provides increased convenience for patients and their families. The program also supports patients over time as children grow to ensure continued seizure freedom. A complete modern approach to epilepsy surgery is offered.

We are happy to discuss this evaluation with you or your child’s primary care doctors throughout the process. Many patients will be good candidates for epilepsy surgery. When patients are not indicated for surgery, or following the initial post-surgical period, patients continue to be managed by the referring provider.

Conditions & Services

Pediatric Epilepsy Conditions We Treat

Our pediatric specialists provide patient- and family-centered care for most related conditions. These are some of the conditions that our Comprehensive Epilepsy Program treats.

  • Brain & Spinal Cord Tumors
  • Cerebrovascular Malformation
  • Epilepsy & Seizures
  • Head & Spine Injuries
  • Neurogenetic Disorders
  • Tuberous Sclerosis

Pediatric Epilepsy Services We Offer

We offer a number of different Comprehensive Epilepsy Program services. Below are some, but not all, of the services that we provide. If you have a question about a specific service that is not listed here, please contact our program.

  • 24-hour Continuous Electroencephalogram (EEG) Monitoring
  • Electroencephalogram (EEG)
  • Epilepsy Surgery
  • Ketogenic Diet
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
  • Pediatric Genetic Counseling
  • Vagal Nerve Stimulator (VNS)

Doctors and Locations

Doctors

Learn more about our experienced pediatric epilepsy providers at Riley at IU Health.

8 Results
Robert B. Blake, MD profile image
Robert B. Blake, MD

4.8 out of 5 stars

(194 ratings)

Score is an average of all responses to care provider related questions on our nationally-recognized NRC Health Patient Experience Survey.

Learn About Survey

Pediatric Neurology

317.948.7450
Susan C. Conrad, MD profile image
Susan C. Conrad, MD

4.7 out of 5 stars

(199 ratings)

Score is an average of all responses to care provider related questions on our nationally-recognized NRC Health Patient Experience Survey.

Learn About Survey

Pediatric Neurology

317.948.7450
Brenna C. McDonald, PsyD profile image
Brenna C. McDonald, PsyD

Neuropsychology

317.963.7204
Derryl J. Miller, MD profile image
Derryl J. Miller, MD

4.7 out of 5 stars

(131 ratings)

Score is an average of all responses to care provider related questions on our nationally-recognized NRC Health Patient Experience Survey.

Learn About Survey

Pediatric Neurology

317.948.7450
Rupa Radhakrishnan, MD profile image
Rupa Radhakrishnan, MD

Radiology, Neuroradiology

Anna M. Schultheis, NP profile image
Anna M. Schultheis, NP

Pediatric Neurology

317.948.7450
Lisa H. Smith, MD profile image
Lisa H. Smith, MD

4.7 out of 5 stars

(170 ratings)

Score is an average of all responses to care provider related questions on our nationally-recognized NRC Health Patient Experience Survey.

Learn About Survey

Pediatric Neurology

317.948.7450
Jignesh K. Tailor, MD, PhD profile image
Jignesh K. Tailor, MD, PhD

4.4 out of 5 stars

(37 ratings)

Score is an average of all responses to care provider related questions on our nationally-recognized NRC Health Patient Experience Survey.

Learn About Survey

Pediatric Neurosurgery

317.944.6201

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Locations

Locations

Riley Pediatric Neurology

4.7 out of 5 stars (1,174 ratings)
Score is an average of all responses to care provider related questions on our nationally-recognized NRC Health Patient Experience Survey.
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575 Riley Hospital Dr
Indianapolis, IN 46202

317.948.7450

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Epilepsy Resources

Epilepsy Resources

The Comprehensive Epilepsy Program at Riley at IU Health suggests the following resources for learning more about epilepsy.

Resources

  • Epilepsy Foundation

    This organization advocates for families living with epilepsy, funds research for new treatments and provides resources and support for patients.

  • Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE)

    This nonprofit organization raises funds for epilepsy research. Their website includes educational information about epilepsy and research updates.

  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

    This National Institutes of Health website provides an overview of the different types of epilepsy, treatments and research.

  • The Brain Recovery Project

    This non-profit organization helps children gain access to surgical interventions, funds research and provides emotional and financial support to families throughout the process.

  • Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance

    This group aims to find a cure for tuberous sclerosis complex, while also providing information and resources to those affected.

  • Hope for Hypothalamic Hamartomas

    This non-profit organization provides information and support for families who are impacted, while also promoting research development.

Related Departments

Related Departments

We provide multispecialty care for a number of conditions. Below are links to our related departments.

  • Developmental Medicine
  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Pediatric Neurosurgery
  • Radiology & Imaging

Related Stories

Related Stories

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Far from home, father and son find help for epilepsy

05/18/21 Patient Stories

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A life without seizures is her dream

04/07/21 Patient Stories

After collecting data for weeks, a device implanted in a Fishers teen’s brain now is ready to do its job of heading off epileptic seizures before they start.

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03/30/21

In honor of National Doctors Day, four Riley physicians talk about their journey here and why they stay.

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02/21/21 Patient Stories

Neurosurgeon Jeffrey Raskin implanted tiny electrodes in his patient’s brain with help from a new breed of robot.

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Health Professionals

For Health Professionals

Refer A Patient

Refer A Patient

The Comprehensive Epilepsy Program sees patients by physician referral. We provide referring doctors with detailed patient reports and want to build a rapport so patients can transition back to their referring doctors after we provide care. Referring physicians continue to manage their patients' care, including resuming care following epilepsy surgery if indicated. Our goal is to work collaboratively to improve outcomes for epilepsy patients.

If you have a child who may benefit from this comprehensive evaluation through the Riley Children's Health Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, please send a referral to the Neurology department for comprehensive epilepsy or epilepsy surgery evaluation via fax at 317.968.1193.

Refer A Patient

Education

The Comprehensive Epilepsy Program is a teaching center where medical students, residents and fellows receive training in child neurology and neurosurgery. Medical students and residents rotate through the program. Residents gain experience in performing EEG readings. Fellows in the adult neurophysiology program also work closely with the Comprehensive Epilepsy Program at Riley at IU Health.

Education Resources:
  • Medical Students
  • Residents
  • Fellows
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