Epilepsy Program
With the establishment of a Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, the Neurosciences Institute at Albany Medical Center is the first and only program in the region that is dedicated specifically to evaluating, diagnosing and treating patients with difficult to manage epilepsy. By combining subspecialty expertise, innovative technology and cutting edge research, the Center reduces the number of hospitalizations and improves the quality of life for patients, family members and caregivers. We have a 6 bed epilepsy monitoring unit (4 adult/2 child) with plans for expansion to 8 beds. Collaboration between physicians from the Department of Neurology and the Division of Neurosurgery has been essential in bringing this program to fruition. Our multidisciplinary approach includes epileptology, neuropsychology, pediatric neurology, surgery, advanced MRI capability and outpatient management. We have an active program, in conjunction with neurosurgery, for brain surgery and for the implantation of vagus nerve stimulators in patients with intractable epilepsy.
Another key element of the program is the EEG laboratory at Albany Medical Center which is fully accredited by the American EEG Society one of only 77 accredited labs in the United States and one of only three in New York State. We specialize in neonatal and pediatric EEG. We perform approximately 1500 routine or sleep studies annually in addition to 250 intensive 24-hour ambulatory recordings. Long term video EEG monitoring is available for more complicated diagnoses and treatments.
