An epileptologist is a
neurologist
Neurology (from el, νεῦρον (neûron), "string, nerve" and the suffix -logia, "study of") is the branch of medicine dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of all categories of conditions and disease involving the brain, the spinal ...
who specializes in the treatment of
epilepsy
Epilepsy is a group of non-communicable neurological disorders characterized by recurrent epileptic seizures. Epileptic seizures can vary from brief and nearly undetectable periods to long periods of vigorous shaking due to abnormal electrical ...
.
Epileptologists are experts in
epileptic seizure
An epileptic seizure, informally known as a seizure, is a period of symptoms due to abnormally excessive or neural oscillation, synchronous neuronal activity in the brain. Outward effects vary from uncontrolled shaking movements involving much o ...
s and seizure disorders,
anticonvulsant
Anticonvulsants (also known as antiepileptic drugs or recently as antiseizure drugs) are a diverse group of pharmacological agents used in the treatment of epileptic seizures. Anticonvulsants are also increasingly being used in the treatment of ...
s, and special situations involving seizures, such as cases in which all treatment intended to stop seizures has failed and epilepsy (especially poorly controlled epilepsy) in
pregnant women.
Some epileptologists specialize in treatment of epilepsy in
children.
The training required for expertise in epilepsy generally involves a
residency in neurology or pediatric neurology followed by a fellowship in
clinical neurophysiology
Clinical neurophysiology is a medical specialty that studies the central and peripheral nervous systems through the recording of bioelectrical activity, whether spontaneous or stimulated. It encompasses both research regarding the pathophysiology ...
or epilepsy. The
American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Inc. (ABPN) is a not-for-profit corporation that was founded in 1934 following conferences of committees appointed by the American Psychiatric Association, the American Neurological Association, an ...
first held subspecialty certifications in epilepsy after a vote in 2010 with ACGME-accredited fellowships appearing in the mid-2010s. Accredited fellowships are one year in duration and focus on training in EEG, surgical planning, and the clinical treatment of epilepsy.
An epileptologist is not necessary for the treatment of all seizure disorders, and is generally only
consulted if seizures do not stop, despite treatment from a regular physician or neurologist.
Origin of the field
The field of epileptology was first created early in the 20th century.
William P. Spratling
William Philip Spratling (October 13, 1863 – December 22, 1915) was an American neurologist known for his advances in the treatment and study of epilepsy; he is often described as the first American epileptologist – a word he is credited w ...
is identified as the first epileptologist. He is said to have coined the term in 1904.
References
External links
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{{Seizures and epilepsy