Top image: Neurons made by my students from pipe cleaners at The Harlem Educational Activities Fund (HEAF)
WRITINGS FOR PATIENT ADVOCACY
2023
- 11/2023: For CURE Epilepsy, I wrote an article on research funded by CURE Epilepsy to investigate cardiac biomarkers in epilepsy. A biomarker is something that can be objectively measured, such as protein in blood or electrical activity in the brain and is used as an indicator of abnormal biological activity. In epilepsy, a biomarker could be used to predict individuals with epilepsy who are at a high risk of sudden death. Previous studies have shown the usefulness of cardiac measures such as heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV, or the amount of time between heartbeats) as potential biomarkers for seizures. Dr. David Auerbach at the University of Rochester Medical Center is extending this knowledge to understand if cardiac measures can distinguish between epileptic seizures and functional or dissociative seizures (FDS), also known as psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES). Dr. Auerbach was recently awarded The CURE Epilepsy Cameron Boyce SUDEP Research Award to explore the role of cardiac biomarkers for Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP). His cross-disciplinary work applies techniques from the field of cardiology to epilepsy. The article can be found here.
- 10/2023: For CURE Epilepsy, I wrote an article on Sdden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) - a tragic outcome defined by premature death in people with epilepsy that is not caused by drowning, injury, or other known causes of mortality. CURE Epilepsy has been a leader in driving awareness and research on SUDEP since 2004, when it started the first private research program to investigate SUDEP and its prevention. CURE Epilepsy has advanced the understanding of risk factors associated with SUDEP which healthcare providers can use to talk to patients about epilepsy and SUDEP. The article which can be found here summaries the impacts of CURE Epilepsy in developing SUDEP registries, understanding risk factors and genetic mechanisms underlying SUDEP.
- 9/2023: For CURE Epilepsy, I wrote an article on the impacts of CURE Epilepsy and its awardees that are leading the charge on research and awareness of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP). This condition is a tragic outcome defined by premature death in people with epilepsy that is not caused by drowning, injury, or other known causes of mortality. CURE Epilepsy has been a leader in driving awareness and research on SUDEP since 2004, when it started the first private research program to investigate SUDEP and its prevention. CURE Epilepsy also commemorates individuals who have passed away due to SUDEP. The article talks about the scientific work done by grantees, and can be found here.
- 8/2023: For CURE Epilepsy, I wrote an article on CURE Epilepsy grantee making strides towards development of a biomarker with implications for the acquired epilepsies. Acquired epilepsies can occur as a result of an initiating event such as a brain injury which may include hypoxia that results as a part of cardiac arrest and coma. Currently, it is not possible to predict who will develop seizures after an initial brain injury. The work of Dr. Amorim and his team has helped to demonstrate the utility of specific brain activity biomarkers in predicting patient outcomes following cardiac arrest. This work provides insights into changes in brain activity that may be extended to people at risk of developing epilepsy after a brain injury. The article can be found here.
- 7/2023: For CURE Epilepsy, I wrote an article on the strides made in the understanding of acquired epilepsies by investigating inflammation in the brain. The article talks about the work of Nicholas H. Varvel at the Emory University School of Medicine who received a CURE Epilepsy Award in 2019 to examine whether reducing the invasion of monocytes into the brain could be a therapeutic strategy for SE and potentially other acquired epilepsies. The article can be found here.
- 6/2023: For CURE Epilepsy, I wrote an article on strides made in the understanding of post-traumatic epilepsy. Post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) is an acquired epilepsy that develops as a result of a physical injury to the brain. This article talks about CURE Epilepsy's PTE Initiative which has led to many scientific successes to date: PTE Initiative teams developed and characterized several different laboratory-based models of PTE, enhanced the understanding of the biological underpinnings of PTE, and identified potential risk factors and potential biomarkers for PTE. The article can be found here.
- 5/2023: For CURE Epilepsy, I wrote an article on strides made in the understanding of the acquired epilepsies by CURE Epilepsy grantees. An acquired epilepsy can occur as a result of brain infection, tumor, or injury leading to spontaneous seizures. Little is known about the mechanisms underlying epileptogenesis, the process by which the brain starts generating seizures following an insult or injury. The article can be found here.
- 4/2023: For CURE Epilepsy, I wrote an article on research to better understand and target genetic epilepsies. As part of its quest to find a cure for the epilepsies, CURE Epilepsy has led initiatives, including one focused on genetic epilepsies. The impact of CURE Epilepsy on epilepsy genetics over the years has been broad, ranging from the discovery of individual genes that are associated with epilepsy, to contributions in rare epilepsies, to the Epilepsy Genetics Initiative (EGI). In this article, we highlight the efforts of EGI and the centralized database to store and analyze genetic signatures associated with epilepsy; we also summarize its impact on people living with genetic epilepsies and the epilepsy research community. The article can be found here.
- 3/2023: For CURE Epilepsy, I wrote an article on specific alterations in the inhibitory neurotransmitter system in infantile spasms. CURE Epilepsy launched the Infantile Spasms Initiative (IS Initiative) in 2013 with a team science approach to bring together groups of investigators working on diverse topics related to IS; this one-of-a-kind initiative in epilepsy research contributed immensely to today’s understanding of IS and its mechanisms. This article talks about the work of Dr. Chris Dulla who developed a mouse model that simulates the neuronal excitation and inhibition relevant to IS. Animal models are incredibly useful to understanding the biological mechanisms underlying IS, and by better understanding the interplay between neural excitation and inhibition in IS, there is hope that we can develop targeted therapies.as they work on developing cutting-edge implantable devices to understand and treat epilepsy. The article can be found here.
- 2/2023: For CURE Epilepsy, I wrote an article on how implantable devices represent a novel way to detect and treat epilepsy. Implantable epilepsy devices offer novel avenues to detect and treat seizures by recording seizure activity from neurons (brain cells) in high-resolution and stimulating these neurons in a way that halts seizures. This article talks about the work of Dr. Brian Litt, Dr. Jonathan Viventi at Duke University and Dr. Flavia Vitale at the University of Pennsylvania, as they work on developing cutting-edge implantable devices to understand and treat epilepsy. The article can be found here.
- 1/2023: For CURE Epilepsy, I wrote an article on how funding basic mechanisms for epilepsy research can drive forward the momentum towards a cure. One initiative funded by CURE Epilepsy, the Infantile Spasms (IS) Initiative, brought together a diverse team of medical and scientific experts to rapidly advance IS research and was the first initiative of its kind in the field of epilepsy. In the article, I describe the research of John Swann at the Baylor College of Medicine, who progressed his initial discoveries, demonstrating the importance of funding basic mechanisms research to put us one step closer to a cure. The article can be found here.
2022
- 11/2022: For CURE Epilepsy, I wrote an article that looked at the journeys of its Taking Flight awardees. CURE Epilepsy has created grant mechanisms to support research to understand the basic biological mechanisms or foundations of what causes seizures that become epilepsy as well as awards for pre-clinical research and more. The Taking Flight Award was created to support epilepsy investigators early in their careers to develop a research focus separate from their mentor’s. This article highlights three Taking Flight awardees who received grants for diverse projects, ranging from work on sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) to mapping epileptic brain networks, to an exploration of circadian function as a potential mechanism and a therapeutic target for epilepsy. The article can be found here.
- 10/2022: For CURE Epilepsy, I wrote an article on the genetic determinants of Sudden Unexpected Death in Pediatrics (SUDP). The article I wrote can be found here and the peer-reviewed journal article can be found here. The study employed state-of-the-art genetic techniques, in-depth analysis of family history and circumstances of death, and analysis of parental genetic information. The authors showed evidence for genetic factors that may play a role in SUDP; while some genes were already potentially associated with sudden death in children, several variants in genes previously not associated with SUDP were identified. In addition to providing genetic information about SUDP, the group’s work is proof of concept that a multidisciplinary lens to study SUDP is not only feasible, but necessary to advance the field.
- 10/2022: For CURE Epilepsy, I wrote an article on the trajectory of brain aging in childhood-onset epilepsy (COE) as shown in a long-term, population-based study. The study showed that individuals with COE showed signs of brain aging that in several respects were more accelerated than those without epilepsy. Additionally, specific risk factors predictive of problematic brain aging outcomes were identified. The article I wrote can be found here and the peer-reviewed journal article can be found here.
- 6/2022: For CURE Epilepsy, I wrote an article on research that investigates the role of myelin in seizure progression. Myelin is a substance that acts as a nerve insulator and is critical for communication between neurons. The article can be found here.
- 5/2022: I edited an article that Julia Vasan wrote on the time-dependent mechanism of action of benzodiazepines.
The article can be found as a PDF below; the graphic shows what happens to GABA receptors in control and after prolonged seizures during status epilepticus (SE).
| GABA receptors in status epilepticus |
3/2022: For CURE Epilepsy, I wrote an article on research that investigates a process called spreading depolarization in Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP). The article can be found here; the image on the left shows the superior colliculus, the part of the brain that the authors studied.
3/2022: For CURE Epilepsy, I wrote an article on research that uses multi-disciplinary approaches to uncover new strategies to prevent epilepsy. The article can be found here.
3/2022: For CURE Epilepsy, I wrote an article on research that uses multi-disciplinary approaches to uncover new strategies to prevent epilepsy. The article can be found here.
2021
- 2/2021: For this article in The Owlet (a website for science educators), I co-wrote an article on the basics of sleep, genes, circuitry, neurotransmitters, and brain regions involved in sleep, and the the evolutionary reasons for why sleep evolved (log-in required, but article available on request).
- 2/2021: For this follow-up article in The Owlet, I co-wrote an article on the link between sleep and learning, the restorative effects of sleep, and effects of lack of deep sleep.
- 1/2021: I co-developed and edited this article with Ramya Lakshminarayan PhD on how respiratory viruses such as SARS CoV2 can affect the brain.
- 1/2021: For The Owlet, I co-developed a mini-lecture on the basics of immunity. This mini-lecture included content on the history of vaccination, types of vaccines, and herd immunity log-in required, but article available on request).
2020
- 11/2020: For The Owlet, I co-wrote a mini-review on seizures, epilepsies, and the impact on learning and cognition log-in required, but article available on request).
- 10/2020: For The Owlet, I co-wrote a mini-review on how vaccines work and why they are important to safely fight against pathogens. Owlet is a resource for science educators that has mini-reviews, lectures, and news pertinent to scientific discoveries (log-in required, but article available on request).
- 04/2020: An article for the NYU FACES newsletter that summarizes information on headaches in people with epilepsy.
- 01/2020: I wrote this article that summarizes my personal motivations for joining the ILAE/AES Translational Epilepsy Task Force.
- 01/2020: This article summarizes research on the effects of a neurotrophic factor called “glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor” (GDNF) on seizures.
- 01/2020: In this article, I focus on research funded by the Epilepsy Foundation on the role of neurotransmitters in Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP).
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12/2019: This article written by a mentee Huayi Wei and edited by me discusses the role of genes in epilepsy. While some epilepsies have clear genetic connections: either running in the family or traced to suddenly occurring changes in single genes, others are less clear. Epilepsy has a spectrum of causes, and this article clarifies the role of genes in epilepsies.
12/2019: I wrote this article with Michele Waters PhD on the role of leaky blood-brain barrier in epilepsy. 11/2019: I wrote this article with Emon Chakraborty PhD about music, epilepsy, and autism spectrum disorder. 11/2019: This article reviews two publications from an Epilepsy Foundation grant awardee, present findings about the discovery of a novel mTOR inhibitor called PQR620 and its potential role in treating chronic epilepsy. 10/2019: An article in the October 2019 NYU FACES newsletter about epilepsy in the elderly. 02/2019: This article about cyclic patterns found in epileptic seizures was written by Huayi Wei, and edited by me. This article made was one of five articles that made it to the "most popular and interesting articles" of 2019! 01/2019: I wrote this article about status epilepticus in the elderly. |
This figure from an article written with Hyayi Wei, we summarize the spectrum of etiologies associated with the epilepsies.
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12/2018: For the ILAE website, I wrote an article on selective targeting of Scn8a in mouse model of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy.
12/2018: This article presents the role of perineuronal nets in tumor-related seizures.
11/2018: This article reviews the various potential causes of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP).
10/2018: This article presents a new target for epilepsy discovered thanks to big data approach
09/2018: This article presents data on the effect of cannabidiol on drop seizures in the Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS).
For the Fall 2018 NYU newsletter, I wrote an article on experimental models of infantile spasms (IS).
09/2018: In this article, I summarize research with spider venom for its potential use in in Dravet Syndrome.
05/2018: This review presents a study on animal model to study the association between epilepsy and autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
05/2018: In this article, I review a paper on attenuation of seizures and social deficits in Dravet Syndrome by cannabidiol.
03/2018: This article reviews a study indicating that multi-day rhythms modulate seizure risk in epilepsy.
03/2018: In this article that I wrote with mentee Mingzhou Fu, we discuss brain activity in Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP).
02/2018: In this article I review the role of GABA receptors in status epilepticus.
12/2018: This article presents the role of perineuronal nets in tumor-related seizures.
11/2018: This article reviews the various potential causes of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP).
10/2018: This article presents a new target for epilepsy discovered thanks to big data approach
09/2018: This article presents data on the effect of cannabidiol on drop seizures in the Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS).
For the Fall 2018 NYU newsletter, I wrote an article on experimental models of infantile spasms (IS).
09/2018: In this article, I summarize research with spider venom for its potential use in in Dravet Syndrome.
05/2018: This review presents a study on animal model to study the association between epilepsy and autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
05/2018: In this article, I review a paper on attenuation of seizures and social deficits in Dravet Syndrome by cannabidiol.
03/2018: This article reviews a study indicating that multi-day rhythms modulate seizure risk in epilepsy.
03/2018: In this article that I wrote with mentee Mingzhou Fu, we discuss brain activity in Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP).
02/2018: In this article I review the role of GABA receptors in status epilepticus.
- 12/2017: This article is a review of two vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) studies. VNS is an alternative treatment for people with epilepsy who fail to respond to anti-epileptic drugs.
- 11/2017: This article reviews a study of catamenial-like seizure exacerbation in mice.
- 11/2017: co-wrote this article about placement, programming and safety of responsive neurostimulation (RNS).
- 11/2017: I co-wrote this article about Responsive Neurostimulation (RNS) as a treatment for epilepsy. RNS is similar to a heart pacemaker - it can monitor brain waves, then respond to activity that is different from usual or that looks like a seizure.
- 08/2017: I wrote a review for the FACES 2017 annual newsletter about a trial of cannabidiol for drug-resistant seizures in Dravet Syndrome.
- 07/2017: This article is a review of work indicating that stress is associated with an increased risk of recurrent seizures in adults.
- 06/2017: Research summarized here indicates that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and lorazepam may suppress seizures in the treatment for status epilepticus.
- 05/2017: This article is an overview of status epilepticus.
- 03/2017: I co-wrote this four-part article, about hypothalamic hamartomas. Hypothalamic hamartomas are rare, benign tumors found in the hypothalamus. They are associated with seizures, early puberty, cognitive (for example thinking and memory) problems, and mood or behavior problems. The articles covered topics such as options for treatment, techniques for diagnosis, and the importance of early diagnosis in improving the chances that treatment will be successful.
- 01/2017: In this article, I answer questions about clinical research, including how it is conducted and what steps are taken to keep participants' information safe and private. I also suggest questions to ask if you are considering participating in a clinical trial.
- 01/2017: I co-authored an article about predicting drug resistance in adult patients with generalized epilepsy.
12/2016: This article is about the role of executive functioning in the quality of life in pediatric intractable epilepsy.
12/2016: This article reviews ictal bradyarrhythmias and asystole requiring pacemaker implantation, and its relation to SUDEP (sudden unexplained death in epilepsy).
11/2016: This article is the last article of a four-part series, and reviews recent studies pertaining to catamenial epilepsy.
10/2016: This article is the third of a four-part series about catamenial epilepsy, and reviews how catamenial epilepsy is studied in the lab.
10/2016: This article is the second of a four-part series about catamenial epilepsy, and examines possible underlying mechanisms.
11/2016: : This article is the first of a four-part series about catamenial epilepsy, a gender-specific type of epilepsy in which seizure frequency intensifies during certain phases of the menstrual cycle.
10/2016: In this article, I examine what people know about epilepsy.
07/2016: This article gives ideas about possible causes and brain changes in people with autism spectrum disorder and epilepsy.
07/2016: In this article, I compiled a summary of basic science research in the field of epilepsy.
07/2016: This article, about the interaction of antidepressants and epilepsy, generated an unusually high level of response from readers.
06/2016: In this article, I review the use of stem cell therapy for epilepsy.
05/2016: In this article, I review what we know about febrile seizures.
04/2016: In this article, I write about recent advances in Dravet Syndrome.
04/2016: The podcast linked here discusses Sturge Weber syndrome.
03/2016: In this article, I summarized the process of immunohistochemistry and its utility in basic epilepsy research.
03/2016: Epilepsy and autism can occur together quite frequently. In this article, I talk about a new model to study this phenomenon.
03/2016: In this article, I examine the link between epilepsy and depression.
02/2016: In this article, I summarize an article that suggests a possible link between inflammation and febrile seizures.
02/2016: In this article for the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance, I write about deficits in dendritic spines in animal models of tuberous sclerosis complex.
01/2016: In this article, I write about high frequency oscillations (HFOs) and what they might mean in the epileptic brain.
12/2016: This article reviews ictal bradyarrhythmias and asystole requiring pacemaker implantation, and its relation to SUDEP (sudden unexplained death in epilepsy).
11/2016: This article is the last article of a four-part series, and reviews recent studies pertaining to catamenial epilepsy.
10/2016: This article is the third of a four-part series about catamenial epilepsy, and reviews how catamenial epilepsy is studied in the lab.
10/2016: This article is the second of a four-part series about catamenial epilepsy, and examines possible underlying mechanisms.
11/2016: : This article is the first of a four-part series about catamenial epilepsy, a gender-specific type of epilepsy in which seizure frequency intensifies during certain phases of the menstrual cycle.
10/2016: In this article, I examine what people know about epilepsy.
07/2016: This article gives ideas about possible causes and brain changes in people with autism spectrum disorder and epilepsy.
07/2016: In this article, I compiled a summary of basic science research in the field of epilepsy.
07/2016: This article, about the interaction of antidepressants and epilepsy, generated an unusually high level of response from readers.
06/2016: In this article, I review the use of stem cell therapy for epilepsy.
05/2016: In this article, I review what we know about febrile seizures.
04/2016: In this article, I write about recent advances in Dravet Syndrome.
04/2016: The podcast linked here discusses Sturge Weber syndrome.
03/2016: In this article, I summarized the process of immunohistochemistry and its utility in basic epilepsy research.
03/2016: Epilepsy and autism can occur together quite frequently. In this article, I talk about a new model to study this phenomenon.
03/2016: In this article, I examine the link between epilepsy and depression.
02/2016: In this article, I summarize an article that suggests a possible link between inflammation and febrile seizures.
02/2016: In this article for the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance, I write about deficits in dendritic spines in animal models of tuberous sclerosis complex.
01/2016: In this article, I write about high frequency oscillations (HFOs) and what they might mean in the epileptic brain.
12/2015: This article shows that brain tumor related epilepsy could be better managed using intercranial EEG.
10/2015: For the NEREG newsletter, I interviewed a neurologist about the use of vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) for children and wrote another article about safety helmets that people with epilepsy can use.
10/2015: This article discusses a potential new therapy for neonatal seizures.
10/2015: I write about a certain kind of glial cell called microglia, and how ‘activated’ microglia might play a role in seizure generation and spread
10/2015: In this article, I talk about the Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) and its usefulness in epilepsy.
09/2015: Depression and epilepsy can exist together quite often. An article written with Dr. Alisha Epps talks about new research that can shed light on depression comorbid with epilepsy.
09/2015: This article reviews the basic science of EEG.
07/2015: In an article and podcast, I talk about basic science in epilepsy, why one might choose to spend time working with experimental rodents and what we can gain from this basic research.
06/2015: For the NEREG newsletter, I interviewed a neurologist about the Sturge Weber syndrome and another article about a Safety product called Handmade by Heroes.
05/2015: Most anti-epileptic drugs focus on neurons. New evidence shows the role of glia in epilepsy, which I write about in this article
04/2015: In this article, I write about the science behind epilepsy and depression.
03/2015: Benzodiazepines are considered as the first line of treatment for status epilepticus, but they may lose effectiveness during the progression of SE. In this article written by Dr. Denise Grosenbaugh and edited by me, the role of stiripentol for status epilepticus was investigated
03/2015: In this article, I write about the role of the hippocampus in epilepsy.
03/2015: For the NEREG newsletter, I wrote an in-depth article about the basic science behind refractory epilepsy and another article about Captureproof – a medical software designed to make the lives of people with epilepsy easier and safer.
02/2015: I wrote this article about using systems biology to understand the complexities of brain tumor-related epilepsy.
02/2015: Epilepsy is rather common in people with brain tumors. Read more to find out where research stands in the field of brain tumor-related epilepsy.
01/2015: I wrote this article about dietary options for brain tumor-related epilepsy.
10/2015: For the NEREG newsletter, I interviewed a neurologist about the use of vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) for children and wrote another article about safety helmets that people with epilepsy can use.
10/2015: This article discusses a potential new therapy for neonatal seizures.
10/2015: I write about a certain kind of glial cell called microglia, and how ‘activated’ microglia might play a role in seizure generation and spread
10/2015: In this article, I talk about the Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) and its usefulness in epilepsy.
09/2015: Depression and epilepsy can exist together quite often. An article written with Dr. Alisha Epps talks about new research that can shed light on depression comorbid with epilepsy.
09/2015: This article reviews the basic science of EEG.
07/2015: In an article and podcast, I talk about basic science in epilepsy, why one might choose to spend time working with experimental rodents and what we can gain from this basic research.
06/2015: For the NEREG newsletter, I interviewed a neurologist about the Sturge Weber syndrome and another article about a Safety product called Handmade by Heroes.
05/2015: Most anti-epileptic drugs focus on neurons. New evidence shows the role of glia in epilepsy, which I write about in this article
04/2015: In this article, I write about the science behind epilepsy and depression.
03/2015: Benzodiazepines are considered as the first line of treatment for status epilepticus, but they may lose effectiveness during the progression of SE. In this article written by Dr. Denise Grosenbaugh and edited by me, the role of stiripentol for status epilepticus was investigated
03/2015: In this article, I write about the role of the hippocampus in epilepsy.
03/2015: For the NEREG newsletter, I wrote an in-depth article about the basic science behind refractory epilepsy and another article about Captureproof – a medical software designed to make the lives of people with epilepsy easier and safer.
02/2015: I wrote this article about using systems biology to understand the complexities of brain tumor-related epilepsy.
02/2015: Epilepsy is rather common in people with brain tumors. Read more to find out where research stands in the field of brain tumor-related epilepsy.
01/2015: I wrote this article about dietary options for brain tumor-related epilepsy.
12/2014: I wrote this article about a potential marker for seizures in individuals with brain tumors.
12/2014: For the NEREG newsletter, I wrote an article about what to do in case of a seizure emergency. I also wrote an article about Seizure Tracker –a tool that combines seizure history, details about anti-epileptic drug (AED) therapy, changes in AED dosages, doctor appointments and other daily notes in one platform.
12/2014: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) can be effective in some refractory cases of epilepsy. This article investigates the mechanism by which DBS can act to reduce seizures.
11/2014: In this study, scientists discover a novel target for anti-epileptic drugs.
11/2014: Here, I talk about what we know about refractory epilepsy.
10/2014: Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) is a rare form of epilepsy that is characterized by multiple seizure types, cognitive deficits and spike-and-wave complexes on the EEG. Read more about the role of the ketogenic diet in LGS here.
10/2014: Febrile seizures usually occur in children and are associated with a rise in the body temperature. Read more about if MRI can be a biomarker for febrile seizures.
10/2014: A meeting to understand mechanisms underlying mortality in people with epilepsy was held in Minneapolis from June 19-22. Read more about the meeting here.
10/2014: In this article, I recap the PAME (Partners Against Mortality in Epilepsy) meeting that was held in Minneapolis in June 2014.
10/2014: There’s much confusion about generic anti-epileptic medication. In this article for the NEREG newsletter, I interviewed an epileptologist about generic anti-epileptic drugs.
10/2014: For the NEREG newsletter, I wrote an article about an organization called 4Paws for Ability - a nonprofit organization places service dogs with children who have disabilities and veterans who have unfortunately lost their sense of vision or hearing.
08/2014: I interviewed a postdoctoral fellow at NKI and talked to her about her most recent paper that investigated the effect of quality of maternal care on the development of the brain and behavior.
07/2014: Read this article to find out the role of statins in epilepsy. This article was reprinted in the September 2014 Epilepsy South Africa Newsletter.
07/2014: Find out what can cause febrile seizures.
06/2014: Find out where research stands on discovering a biomarker for epilepsy.
06/2014: The first article I wrote for this issue of the NEREG newsletter was about complementary and alternative medicines for epilepsy. I also interviewed the first patient to have ever undergone the Visualase Laser Ablation Technology procedure at The Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group for treatment of his epilepsy.
05/2014: Read more to find out how scientists use zebrafish to find novel therapies for epilepsy.
05/2014: Here, I write a short article about temporal lobe epilepsy. I also provide a recap of the NYU Neuroscience Retreat.
05/2014: In this article for NYU FACES, I write about a neuroscience retreat that I attended; I recap the main talks and new studies presented.
04/2014: One of the causes of mortality in subjects with epilepsy is SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death with Epilepsy). A reason why this could be the case is that subjects with epilepsy can have cardiac dysfunction as well. Read more to find out more about cardiac dysfunction in epilepsy.
04/2014: In this article, I write about seizures and brain tumors.
04/2014: For this edition of NKI Informer, I wrote about the NYU Community Brain Fair held to celebrate Brain Awareness Week.
03/2014: Dravet syndrome (DS), also known as Severe Myoclonic Epilepsy of Infancy (SMEI), is a form of catastrophic epilepsy with a bleak prognosis. Read more to find out new research for Dravet Syndrome.
03/2014: For the NEREG newsletter, I wrote an article about the usefulness of the ketogenic diet (a very high-fat and very low-carbohydrate diet) in epilepsy.
03/2014: Here, I talk about the common myths regarding epilepsy, as well as epilepsy first-aid.
02/2014: Read here to find out what scientists are finding out about absence seizures.
02/2014: In this article, I provide an overview of the 2013 American Epilepsy Society Meeting.
01/2014: Scientists find a novel mutation that could cause febrile seizures.
01/2014: Read more about SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy) and what scientists are doing to understand SUDEP better.
Spring 2014: In this article, I summarize the effects of anti-epileptic drugs on children born to women with epilepsy for the Weill Cornell Epilepsy Center.
12/2014: For the NEREG newsletter, I wrote an article about what to do in case of a seizure emergency. I also wrote an article about Seizure Tracker –a tool that combines seizure history, details about anti-epileptic drug (AED) therapy, changes in AED dosages, doctor appointments and other daily notes in one platform.
12/2014: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) can be effective in some refractory cases of epilepsy. This article investigates the mechanism by which DBS can act to reduce seizures.
11/2014: In this study, scientists discover a novel target for anti-epileptic drugs.
11/2014: Here, I talk about what we know about refractory epilepsy.
10/2014: Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) is a rare form of epilepsy that is characterized by multiple seizure types, cognitive deficits and spike-and-wave complexes on the EEG. Read more about the role of the ketogenic diet in LGS here.
10/2014: Febrile seizures usually occur in children and are associated with a rise in the body temperature. Read more about if MRI can be a biomarker for febrile seizures.
10/2014: A meeting to understand mechanisms underlying mortality in people with epilepsy was held in Minneapolis from June 19-22. Read more about the meeting here.
10/2014: In this article, I recap the PAME (Partners Against Mortality in Epilepsy) meeting that was held in Minneapolis in June 2014.
10/2014: There’s much confusion about generic anti-epileptic medication. In this article for the NEREG newsletter, I interviewed an epileptologist about generic anti-epileptic drugs.
10/2014: For the NEREG newsletter, I wrote an article about an organization called 4Paws for Ability - a nonprofit organization places service dogs with children who have disabilities and veterans who have unfortunately lost their sense of vision or hearing.
08/2014: I interviewed a postdoctoral fellow at NKI and talked to her about her most recent paper that investigated the effect of quality of maternal care on the development of the brain and behavior.
07/2014: Read this article to find out the role of statins in epilepsy. This article was reprinted in the September 2014 Epilepsy South Africa Newsletter.
07/2014: Find out what can cause febrile seizures.
06/2014: Find out where research stands on discovering a biomarker for epilepsy.
06/2014: The first article I wrote for this issue of the NEREG newsletter was about complementary and alternative medicines for epilepsy. I also interviewed the first patient to have ever undergone the Visualase Laser Ablation Technology procedure at The Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group for treatment of his epilepsy.
05/2014: Read more to find out how scientists use zebrafish to find novel therapies for epilepsy.
05/2014: Here, I write a short article about temporal lobe epilepsy. I also provide a recap of the NYU Neuroscience Retreat.
05/2014: In this article for NYU FACES, I write about a neuroscience retreat that I attended; I recap the main talks and new studies presented.
04/2014: One of the causes of mortality in subjects with epilepsy is SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death with Epilepsy). A reason why this could be the case is that subjects with epilepsy can have cardiac dysfunction as well. Read more to find out more about cardiac dysfunction in epilepsy.
04/2014: In this article, I write about seizures and brain tumors.
04/2014: For this edition of NKI Informer, I wrote about the NYU Community Brain Fair held to celebrate Brain Awareness Week.
03/2014: Dravet syndrome (DS), also known as Severe Myoclonic Epilepsy of Infancy (SMEI), is a form of catastrophic epilepsy with a bleak prognosis. Read more to find out new research for Dravet Syndrome.
03/2014: For the NEREG newsletter, I wrote an article about the usefulness of the ketogenic diet (a very high-fat and very low-carbohydrate diet) in epilepsy.
03/2014: Here, I talk about the common myths regarding epilepsy, as well as epilepsy first-aid.
02/2014: Read here to find out what scientists are finding out about absence seizures.
02/2014: In this article, I provide an overview of the 2013 American Epilepsy Society Meeting.
01/2014: Scientists find a novel mutation that could cause febrile seizures.
01/2014: Read more about SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy) and what scientists are doing to understand SUDEP better.
Spring 2014: In this article, I summarize the effects of anti-epileptic drugs on children born to women with epilepsy for the Weill Cornell Epilepsy Center.
12/2013: For the NKI Informer, I interviewed a scientist who studies Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) at NKI.
10/2013: In this article, I summarized a networking session that I attended as part of NYU Postdoctoral Appreciation Week.
08/2013: In this article, I interviewed a fellow students and trainees to discuss the challenges female scientists have to face while balancing a family and career.
06/2013: A festschrift for Philip Schwartzkroin – a famed epilepsy researcher - was held in Monterrey where his students and trainees celebrated his work and his contributions to the field of epilepsy. In this article, I recapitulated the meeting.
10/2013: In this article, I summarized a networking session that I attended as part of NYU Postdoctoral Appreciation Week.
08/2013: In this article, I interviewed a fellow students and trainees to discuss the challenges female scientists have to face while balancing a family and career.
06/2013: A festschrift for Philip Schwartzkroin – a famed epilepsy researcher - was held in Monterrey where his students and trainees celebrated his work and his contributions to the field of epilepsy. In this article, I recapitulated the meeting.
For the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) website, I wrote the following articles:
- 10/2019: Repetitive diffuse mild traumatic brain injury causes an atypical astrocyte response and spontaneous recurrent seizures (link).
- 12/2018: Selective targeting of Scn8a prevents seizure development in a mouse model of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (link).
- 03/2017: Optogenetic low-frequency stimulation of specific neuronal populations abates ictogenesis (link).
- 09/2016: Interfering with the chronic immune response rescues chronic degeneration after traumatic brain injury (link).
- 07/2016: Reducing premature KCC2 expression rescues seizure susceptibility and spine morphology in atypical febrile seizures (link).
- 06/2016: Tight coupling of astrocyte pH dynamics to epileptiform activity revealed by genetically encoded pH sensors (link).
- 02/2016: Bumetanide reduces seizure progression and the development of pharmacoresistant status epilepticus (link).
- 12/2015: Treatment during a vulnerable developmental period rescues a genetic epilepsy (link).
- 12/2015: Glycine transporter 1 is a target for the treatment of epilepsy (link).
- 10/2015: Epileptogenic effects of NMDAR antibodies in a passive transfer mouse model (link).
- 07/2015: Microglial ROS production in an electrical rat post-status epilepticus model of epileptogenesis (link).
- 03/2015: Astrocyte uncoupling as a cause of human temporal lobe epilepsy (link).
- 12/2014: Targeting pharmacoresistant epilepsy and epileptogenesis with a dual-purpose antiepileptic drug (link).
- 10/2014: Adenosine kinase, glutamine synthetase and EAAT2 as gene therapy targets for temporal lobe epilepsy (link).
- 10/2014: Tau reduction prevents disease in a mouse model of Dravet syndrome (link).
| High gamma activity during seizures |
| Ketogenic diet + radiation in glioma |
| Role of c5ar1 in a murine epilepsy model |
| Stress response in childhood epilepsy |
| Anti-inflammatory properties of the ketogenic diet |
| postictal_immobility_in_sudep.pdf |
| Clinical factors predicting cognition in children with TSC |
| MR-guided stereotactic laser ablation of epileptogenic foci |
| Ictal HFOs and surgical outcome in pediatric drug resistant epilepsy |
| Synaptic imbalance and hippocampal hyperexcitability in mouse models of TSC |
| Dendritic spine deficits in neuronal models of TSC |
| CD47 and CD200 in focal cortical dysplasia and TSC |
Additional Articles
- For Neuroscience for Kids - a resource for students and teachers who would like to learn about the nervous system, I wrote an article about the Zika virus, and about how the Zika virus disrupts neural progenitor cells.
- International Bipolar Foundation: in this article, I write about cortical thickness, volume and surface area in patients with bipolar disorder.
- For the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance, I wrote an article about the defective dendritic spines in animal models of tuberous sclerosis complex.
Full texts of select articles:
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