Health Link 2008-08
Epilepsy
Original Broadcast: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 at 7:30pm ET
Repeat:  Sunday May 4, 2008 at midnight

More than 2.7 million Americans are affected by epilepsy, a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures.  It can develop at any age but new cases of epilepsy are more common among children and seniors.  On the next Health Link we will examine what triggers epilepsy, the latest in treatment options and how to live a full life while managing the condition.

Guests:
Julie Eisele, PhD
Julie Eisele is the Community Educator for the Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern NY where her responsibilities include information and referral, community education and advocacy.  She is a Developmental Psychologist whose research has focused on children with early brain injury.  Previously, she was an Assistant Professor of Biopsychology at Skidmore College and the Director of the NYS Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Surveillance Program funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The mission of the Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern New York is to ensure people with seizures are able to participate in all life experiences; and will prevent, control and cure epilepsy through services, education, advocacy and research.  One of their primary goals is to provide accessible, current information about epilepsy/seizure disorders to individuals with epilepsy, parents, family members and friends. They also provide information about epilepsy to professionals in the community through in-service training programs.
http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/efneny/

The Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern New York
Three Washington Square
Albany, New York 12205
Phone: (518) 456-7501 or (800) 894-3223

Vincent Gibbons, MD
Dr. Vincent Gibbons is an Associate Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics at Albany Medical College.  He serves as Director of the Division of Pediatric Neurology, AMC.  He received his MD degree from Georgetown University.  After completing his pediatric residency at Children's Hospital National Medical Center in Washington, DC, Dr. Gibbons completed fellowships in Pediatric Neurology (George Washington University) and Epilepsy/Clinical Neurophysiology (Children's Hospital, Boston). Special interests include epilepsy and general pediatric neurology.
http://www.amc.edu/Patient/services/Neurosciences/neurology_home.html

AMC Neurology Group
47 New Scotland Avenue, MC 70
Physicians Pavilion, 1st Floor
Albany, NY 12208
Phone:  (518) 262-5226

Michael Gruenthal, MD, PhD
Dr. Michael Gruenthal is Professor and Chairman of the Department of Neurology at Albany Medical College. He is Co-Director of the Neuroscience Institute at AMC.  He received his MD degree from the University of North Carolina and his PhD from Washington University, followed by a post-doctoral fellowship in Epilepsy at Duke University. He completed his neurology residency training at the University of Louisville. He is Board certified. His special interests include Epilepsy.
http://www.amc.edu/Patient/services/Neurosciences/neurology_home.html

AMC Neurology Group
47 New Scotland Avenue, MC 70
Physicians Pavilion, 1st Floor
Albany, NY 12208
Phone:  (518) 262-5226

Nicole Dennis
Nicole was diagnosed with epilepsy following a brain injury.  Nicole underwent brain surgery a few years ago to reduce the frequency of her seizures.

Christy Molinaro

Christy is the wife of Republican Assemblyman Marc Molinaro, R-Tivoli.  Their 3 year old daughter Abigail has been diagnosed with epilepsy.

Jennifer Smith
Jennifer is a wife and mom of 3 little boys.  Austin, her six year old son was diagnosed with infantile spasms (seizures) at 16 months of age.  Ben and Connor are four. One is a typical toddler and the other has been diagnosed with PDD-NOS/Asperger's.  You can follow the family in her Times Union blog.
http://blogs.timesunion.com/austinbenconnor/