Neurology in Minnesota

Epilepsy Subspecialty Group

The Epilepsy Subspecialty Group is a group of adult and child neurologists in the Department of Neurology with special training and expertise in the evaluation and treatment of epilepsy and seizures. The physicians in the Epilepsy Subspecialty Group work closely with colleagues in Neurologic Surgery, Nursing, Neuroradiology, Nuclear Medicine, Clinical Neurophysiology, and Neuropsychology to deliver comprehensive care for patients with these disorders.

Staff

Rochester
Adult Neurology:

• Gregory D. Cascino, M.D. (Epilepsy Subspecialty Group Chair)
• Jeffrey W. Britton, M.D.
• Terrence D. Lagerlund, M.D.
• Cheolsu Shin, M.D.
• Elson So, M.D.
• Gregory A. Worrell, M.D.

Adult Neurosurgery:

• W. Richard Marsh, M.D.
• Frederic Meyer, M.D.

Jacksonville

• Jerry J. Shih, M.D.
  

Scottsdale:

• Joseph Sirven, M.D.
• Joseph Drazkowski, M.D.

Research

All three Mayo sites are active in epilepsy research. Research at Mayo Clinic led to significant developments in MRI techniques that are now used widely in the selection of patients for epilepsy surgery. Innovations in SPECT scanning at Mayo have also led to improvements in presurgical evaluation. Clinical research evaluating electrical brain stimulation for epilepsy is ongoing. Research in the use of vagus nerve stimulation, and the ketogenic diet have been performed at Mayo as well.

Also, laboratory research examining the underlying mechanisms of seizures is being pursued at Mayo as well. Several surgical outcome studies have been published by the epilepsy and neurosurgery staff, leading to improvements in the selection of patients for surgery and surgical outcome. The EEG laboratory at Mayo Clinic has been renowned for years for the diagnosis of epilepsy. Research is a priority of the epilepsy division with the goal of improving the treatment options for patients with epilepsy.

Education

Three fellowships are available at Mayo Clinic for physicians who have completed a four-year residency program in Neurology.

• Clinical Neurophysiology, Electroencephalography, Epilepsy Fellowship, one-two years.
• Epilepsy Fellowship, one year.
• Pediatric Epilepsy Fellowship, one year.

Continuing Medical Education
An annual Clinical Neurophysiology Update Course is offered by the Mayo Clinic Division of Clinical Neurophysiology. The course rotates annually among the three Mayo Clinic sites — Rochester, Jacksonville, and Scottsdale. Faculty from all three sites participate in the course every year. See Neurology CME courses in the Mayo School of Continuing Education.