Epilepsy

Trainees are equipped to provide specialized, multidisciplinary care for individuals with seizures and epilepsy, ranging from new-onset seizures to complex drug-resistant epilepsy, using advanced diagnostic capabilities, inpatient epilepsy monitoring, epilepsy surgery evaluations and intraoperative neuromonitoring.

Working alongside epileptologists, neurosurgeons, neuropsychologists, neuroradiologists, and specialized nursing and technical staff at Banner – University Medical Center Tucson, trainees learn at the only National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC) accredited Level 4 Epilepsy Center in the region. Banner’s monitoring unit (EMU) provides long-term video EEG monitoring to localize seizure foci and guide treatment decisions, including candidacy for epilepsy surgery or neuromodulation therapies such as VNS and RNS.

In collaboration with neurosurgery and neuropsychology colleagues, trainees learn to provide pre-surgical evaluations, intraoperative cortical mapping and post-surgical follow-up. They also learn to evaluate non-epileptic events, genetic epilepsy syndromes, women’s epilepsy, and epilepsy care in special populations such as those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Thanks to our deep commitment to improving access to epilepsy care throughout the Southwest, trainees have the opportunity to work with underserved and rural communities through outreach and telemedicine initiatives.

Research & Innovation

Our faculty are actively engaged in clinical, translational and basic science research aimed at advancing the understanding and treatment of epilepsy. They participate in investigator-initiated and industry-sponsored clinical trials, offering patients access to cutting-edge treatments and novel antiepileptic medications. Areas of focus include the evaluation of seizure prediction technologies, neurostimulation therapies, pharmacogenetics and treatment of medically refractory epilepsy.

In addition, faculty contribute to foundational neuroscience research in cellular neurophysiology and molecular biology, exploring mechanisms of epileptogenesis and developing strategies for seizure suppression and disease modification. We maintain strong collaborations with basic scientists and engineers across the University of Arizona, fostering innovation at the interface of bioengineering, computational neuroscience and clinical epilepsy care.

Education & Training

Our faculty play a vital role in the education and professional development of future neurologists and epileptologists. We offer an ACGME-accredited one-year Clinical Epilepsy Fellowship through the Arizona Comprehensive Epilepsy Program (ACEP), designed to prepare trainees for independent practice in the diagnosis and management of epilepsy.

Fellows receive immersive training in adult and pediatric epilepsy care, video-EEG monitoring, ICU EEG interpretation, epilepsy surgery evaluation and management of neurostimulation devices such as VNS, RNS and DBS. They work closely with a multidisciplinary epilepsy team and participate in pre-surgical conferences, EMU case reviews and advanced neuroimaging analysis.

In addition to fellows, we provide structured education for neurology residents and medical students, including outpatient clinic rotations, inpatient consults, EEG interpretation and academic conferences. Our division contributes actively to the Department of Neurology’s curriculum through lectures, journal clubs, case-based learning and simulation-based education.

Through clinical mentorship, research opportunities and hands-on training, we aim to shape the next generation of epilepsy specialists who will lead with both scientific rigor and humanistic care.