Gregory D. Cascino, M.D.

Gregory D. Cascino, M.D., is the Whitney MacMillan Junior Professor of Neuroscience at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine. Based in Rochester, Minnesota, Dr. Cascino specializes in evaluating and treating people with epilepsy, including individuals with complex or drug-resistant seizures. His care philosophy emphasizes goals that matter most to patients: achieving seizure freedom without medication side effects or lifestyle limitations. Working closely with a collaborative team, Dr. Cascino offers individualized treatment plans designed to improve quality of life and restore independence.

"The goal of therapy is always centered around the individual patient. What can we do to improve his or her quality of life? I always emphasize what our goals are: no seizures, no side effects, no lifestyle limitations," says Dr. Cascino.

Areas of expertise

Dr. Cascino provides advanced, patient-centered care for epilepsy management and related disorders.

• Epilepsy care: Comprehensive management strategies for seizure disorders
• Drug-resistant epilepsy: Evaluation and treatment options for patients unresponsive to standard therapies
• Epilepsy surgery: Assessment and outcomes for focal epilepsy surgical interventions
• Innovative therapies: Cannabidiol for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and tuberous sclerosis; intranasal diazepam for acute seizure rescue
• Advanced diagnostics: Long-term electroencephalographic monitoring and neuroimaging for surgical evaluation

Research and expertise

Dr. Cascino's research is dedicated to developing safer, more effective therapies for individuals with intractable epilepsy. His work involves clinical trials on new treatment options, including cannabidiol and investigational rescue medications, as well as outcomes research on epilepsy surgery and minimally invasive approaches like stereotactic laser ablation. He also contributes to genetics-driven initiatives aimed at personalizing epilepsy care. Through these efforts, Dr. Cascino seeks to improve seizure control while minimizing adverse effects, enabling patients to live full and independent lives.