NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn unveils new unit dedicated to epilepsy treatment
The unit staffs neuropsychologists, psychiatrists, neurosurgeons, physical, occupational and speech therapists among other specialists.
Blanca Vazquez, director of clinical trials in the Department of Neurology at NYU Langone Health
NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn has unveiled a new unit dedicated solely to the diagnosing and treatment of epilepsy, the system announced.
The unit boasts state-of-the-art diagnostic and digital video monitoring equipment and compliments the hospital's newly renovated neurology suite. Blanca Vazquez, director of clinical trials in the Department of Neurology at NYU Langone Health, directs the epilepsy program in Brooklyn. Vazquez is an epileptologist, a neurologist who specializes in epilepsy.
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In addition to epileptologists, the unit staffs neuropsychologists, psychiatrists, neurosurgeons, specially trained nurses and nurse practitioners, dieticians, physical, occupational and speech therapists, social workers, imaging technologists, and researchers. The team collaborates with NYU Langone's Comprehensive Epilepsy Center in Manhattan, where patients can be transferred if necessary, the system said.
The video monitoring allows staff to closely watch patients in case of seizure activity, better enabling their ability to deduce the type of seizure and the part of the brain involved. Brain mapping capabilities help doctors figure out the source of the seizures, as well as the parts of the brain related to movement, speech, vision and memory that need protecting, NYU Langone Health said.
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Various forms of epilepsy are due to uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain, and seizures can be triggered by many issues including fever, alcohol withdrawal and sleep deprivation. Genetics also can play a role. It is the fourth most common neurological illness and more than two million people are diagnosed with it every year.
The opening of the new epilepsy unit continues a transformation initiative under way at NYU Langone Hospital – Brooklyn. "We are proud to reach another milestone with the opening of the neurology unit and now a specially equipped area for epilepsy," said Bret J. Rudy, executive hospital director and senior vice president at NYU Langone Hospital – Brooklyn. "Patients will benefit greatly being cared for by our outstanding team of experts in this brand new unit."
Twitter: @BethJSanborn
Email the writer: beth.sandborn@himssmedia.com
