Epilepsy Genetics Clinic

As researchers discover the relationships between different kinds of epilepsy and genetic mutations that may cause or influence them, a new set of tools is helping physicians better understand and treat many children who suffer from seizures. In addition to guiding patients and their families toward an accurate diagnosis, the Pediatric Epilepsy Genetics Clinic, a part of the Pediatric Epilepsy Center, uses these new tools to help patients find the best treatment course for their disease.

The clinic’s pediatric epileptologists (neurologists with expertise in diagnosing and managing seizure disorders in children), neuro-geneticist and genetic counselor see three main groups of patients:

Children with a suspected genetic cause for their seizures who have not yet been genetically tested.
Children who already have a diagnosis, but who still need guidance on treatment options.
Children whose genetic testing results are especially hard to interpret.

In each case, the team takes a personalized approach to help clarify your child’s diagnosis, prognosis and best clinical options. These sometimes include targeted gene-specific therapies. We have strong collaborations with laboratories around the world that allow us to explore the impact of specific genetic alterations. By understanding how a genetic mutation changes the way the cells in the brain work, we hope to tailor treatments in order to optimize outcomes. In this way, the Epilepsy Genetics Clinic offers individualized and cutting-edge therapies.