w e i l l c o r n e l l e p i l e p s y c e n t e r spring ... · presentation 2 aes annual meeting...

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A Recap On Epilepsy Awareness Month We kicked off the month with “ Epilepsy: Fact or Fiction” interactive and informational

stations. The campaign focused on educating the community members on epilepsy, the

stigmas related to the condition and first aid for seizures. These stations were held at

NewYork-Presbyterian –Weill Cornell, NewYork–Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital,

Brooklyn Medcare and New York Hospital Queens. We had an amazing turn out and look

forward to Epilepsy Awareness Month 2014.

I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

Poster

Presentation

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AES Annual

Meeting

2

COPE Spring

2014

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Updates In

Epilepsy

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Upcoming

Events

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W E I L L C O R N E L L E P I L E P S Y C E N T E R

Spring Happenings 2014

Photo: Helene R. Quinn, RN; Genesis Valverde, Outreach Coordinator and

Laura J. Ponticello, RN tabling in NewYork-Presbyterian– Weill Cornell.

Epilepsy Awareness Walk 2013

Joined with about 1200 walkers which included people with epilepsy, families, friends and health

providers; it was a pleasure to be part of this grand event. We would like to invite you all to

join “Team Weill Cornell” for the “3rd Annual Into The Light Walk For Epilepsy Awareness” this

year! With your help, we can double our team in size to create a greater impact in the community.

More information to follow.

Date: To Be Announced

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American Epilepsy Society Annual Meeting

The Weill Cornell Medical College's Epilepsy Center clinicians attended the 67th Annual American Epilepsy Society

meeting hosted in Washington, D.C. Our very own Gail Solomon, MD; Justin Marcus; Laura J. Ponticello, RN;

Ludymila Jovine, LCSW, BCD; Nitin Sethi, MD and Paul Mullin, MD attended this four day medical retreat along

with hundreds of healthcare professionals from across the nation. This year's convention included seminars

discussing the advancement of epilepsy, research, new treatments and various special interest group meetings. The

American Epilepsy Society continues to confirm their mission statement to "promote the prevention, treatment and

cure of epilepsy through professional education and research"

Justin Marcus, Gail Solomon, MD and Nithin Sethi, MD presented their poster on “ Diagnostic Utility The Routine

Electroencephalogram In Patients Admitted To The Psychiatry Inpatient Service Of A Large Tertiary Academic

Medical Center” at the American Epilepsy Society annual meeting on December 6, 2013.

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The COPE program serves to provide support, education and a holistic approach to living well with epilepsy; offering opportunities to those living

with epilepsy and their care partners to enjoy optimal quality of life. This is a free program open to all in the Tri-State area who are living with

epilepsy. The program consists of seminars, workshops and wellness initiatives.

This spring we will be offering a new Peer to Peer Support Group, and a Creative Artists Group.

We are very excited to announce that the COPE program has been designated “Purple Day Ambassador” in partnership with the Anita

Kaufmann Foundation. March 26th is Purple Day® - World Epilepsy DayTM. We invite you to spread the word and to wear purple on this day!

The Anita Kaufmann Foundation’s Mission is, “Teaching People Not To Fear Epilepsy”.

The COPE program, as a Purple Day Ambassador, is part of this effort and Mission.

Stop by our Purple Day® - World Epilepsy DayTM Table on March 26th from 11:00am-2:00pm

Starr Pavilion, 520 East 70th Street, lobby

Garden Café, 520 East 70th Street, basement level

We invite you to stop by. All are Welcome!

The following are the Spring 2014 COPE program offerings:

Date: April 3rd

Presenter: Carl W. Bazil, MD, Ph.D.

Caitlin Tynan Doyle Professor of Neurology

Director, Division of Epilepsy and Sleep

Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons

Topic: "Better Sleep for a Better Life with Epilepsy."

Date: April 24th

Presenter: Amy Gross, Teacher, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

Open Center, NYC Workshop: "Mindfulness Workshop: Relieving Stress, Finding Joy."

Date: May 29th

Presenter: Shahin Nouri, MD

Director, Comprehensive Epilepsy Center

Vice Chief, Division of Neurology

New York Methodist Hospital

Topic: "What Are Some of the Medical Concerns Unique to Epilepsy,

and How Can They Be Treated?"

Date: June 23rd

Presenter: Drew Ramsey, MD

Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons Author

Topic: "Brain Food 101: How to Eat to Feed the Brain.”

Please note, all Seminars/Workshops/Peer Groups are held at:

Weill Cornell Medical College

1300 York Avenue (at 69th Street)

Registration is required.

In partnership with the Epilepsy Foundation of Metropolitan New York, please join us for the 2nd Annual Epilepsy Awareness Day at Citi

Field on Sunday, June 15th. Please call 212.746.2471 for information on tickets and further details about this event.

We look forward to seeing you at our Seminars/Workshop/Peer Group. To join us, please register on line at

www.cornellepilepsy.com/ register , or call 212.746.2471

Luydmila Jovine, LCSW Co-Director

Paul Mullin, MD Founder, Co-Director

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Updates in Epilepsy...

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders. It is estimated that in the US approximately 20,000

babies are born to women with epilepsy each year. Fortunately, the vast majority of women with epilepsy have

uneventful and normal pregnancies. Even so, it is important to be aware of the effects of antiepileptic drugs

(seizure medications) on children born to women with epilepsy. Seizure medications can cause two types of

problems. One type is visible or physical birth defects such as spina bifida or heart defects. The second type is the

effect on the baby’s developing brain that is not visibly apparent such as speech or language development.

One drug in particular with a high risk of birth defects is Valproic acid (brand name

Depakote). Currently, experts agree that Valproic acid be avoided whenever possible for

women with epilepsy who might be planning pregnancy. Over the last several years, however

Levetiracetam (brand name Keppra) use has increased in women with epilepsy based upon the

good results of two pregnancy registries. Pregnancy registries are a database of internationally

collected information from patients and physicians reporting on birth defect outcomes. Both

the United Kingdom and North American Pregnancy registries reported low birth defect rates

for Levetiracetam.

A recently published article (January 2014 Neurology journal) is the first of its kind to report

on the development and language abilities of children born to women with epilepsy who were prescribed either

Valproic acid (VPA), Levetiracetam (LEV) or children born to women without epilepsy. The children were tested

between 3 and 4.5 years of age. Children exposed to Levetiracetam scored higher in language, motor, and

comprehension skills compared to children exposed to Valproic acid. In fact, children exposed to Levetiracetam

did as well as children who were not exposed to any seizure medication at all. So, now there is finally good

preliminary evidence that Levetiracetam may be a preferred drug during pregnancy if it works to control mother’s

seizures.

Written by: Padmaja Kandula, MD and Sloka Iyengar, PhD

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-MARCH 11, 2014 ( 6:15 PM– 7:15 PM)

In honor of “ Brain Awareness Week”, Myra Mahon Patient Resource Center Spring Seminar Series and NewYork– Presbyterian Hospital

present “ Neurological Injuries in Sports: Pee Wees to Pros” : Presented by members of the NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell

Medical Center Concussion Program Team: Dr. Nitin Sethi, Neurologist, and Dr. Jeffrey Greenfield, Pediatric Neurological Surgeon.

Date: Wednesday, March 11, 2014

Time: 6:15PM – 7:15PM

Location: Myra Mahon Patient Resource Center, 1305 York Avenue ( at East 70th Street), 2nd Floor

To register or for more information, contact Lee Marie Dashti at 212-746-4292

MAY 30, 2014 ( 9:00 AM– 1 PM) - DOMESTIC WORKERS HEALTH EVENT

Location: Lenox Hill Neighborhood House– 31 East 70th Street, NY, NY 10021

The Weill Cornell Epilepsy Center Newsletter is published to provide readers with an accurate and timely

medical news and updates within our center and community. For more information or additional copies, please

contact our outreach coordinator: Genesis Valverde 212-746-2625

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Upcoming Events...