Epilepsy Division
The International Center for Epilepsy (ICE) at the University of Miami is a national and international leader in epilepsy. ICE is dedicated to providing the most advanced treatment, research, and education for epilepsy across all ages and types of seizures and epilepsy syndromes. From initial evaluation by our faculty and fellows to long term continued care, each patient can be assured of having the care and management that only a highly specialized epilepsy center can provide. Using a multidisciplinary team approach, the division’s medical and surgical teams actively conduct research and education in their respective disciplines. We have at our disposal the most advanced and modern tools for the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy and the underlying cause for the seizures.Services
The International Center for Epilepsy provides the following services:
-
Epileptologist on call: A faculty member is available 24-7 to respond to our patient’s emergencies and to provide telephone consultation to referring and outside physicians.
- EEG Video monitoring: There are 4-bed EEG monitoring units in both the adult neurology and on the pediatric floor. In these units, patients are monitored for extended periods of time (1) as part of a pre-surgical evaluation for epilepsy surgery and (2) to establish the diagnosis in patients with episodes of loss of consciousness or with unusual behavior.
- Outpatient clinics: A large number of patients receive specialized care and treatment in the Epilepsy Outpatient Clinics. The faculty is very experienced in classification of the epilepsies, selection of the appropriate medical therapy and adjusting the therapies for optimal outcome. The outpatient clinics are a great resource for the community where the faculty can provide second opinions for referring physicians.
- Active surgical program: For over 30 years, the epilepsy center has had an active surgical program for the treatment of individuals with medically refractory epilepsy. We have been active in the development of new techniques sub-pial transaction for epilepsies in critical area of the brain. The faculty at the ICE was involved in the first evaluation of vagal nerve stimulation for the treatment of epilepsy. We continue to work to develop new approaches in the surgical treatment of epilepsy.
- Neurophysiological Laboratory: Besides routine electroencephalogram, the neurophysiology laboratory at ICE has the ability to record outpatient ambulatory EEG
recordings and all day EEG/Video recordings. - Neuroimaging: A broad range of neuroimaging is present on the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine campus. High magnet strength MRI imaging is available using specially constructed techniques which provides both structural and functional images. PET and SPECT imaging is available on both an outpatient and inpatient basis.
- Interventional Radiology and Gamma Knife: A very strong and experienced Interventional Radiology and Gamma Knife groups are present to assist in the non-surgical treatment of patients with intracranial tumors and vascular malformations.
Research
The faculty of the ICE is actively involved in clinical research trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of important drugs. They have been involved in pivotal clinical research trials which have lead to the approval of nine new antiepileptic drugs in the past 14 years. Below is a list of current studies. Please click on the study description for more details.
| Study | Description | Enrollment Status |
|---|---|---|
| Pregabalin Monotherapy |
Comparison of intravenous carbamazepine with oral carbamazepine in adult patients with epilepsy. |
Pending enrollment |
| Intravenous vs Oral Carbamazepine |
Comparison of intravenous carbamazepine with oral carbamazepine in adult patients with epilepsy. |
Pending enrollment |
| Oral SPM 927 | Study of the long term use of SPM 927 as adjunctive therapy in patients with partial seizures. | Not Enrolling |
