Neurophysiology Fellowship

Southern Illinois University School of Medicine

Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology
Fellowship

Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
Springfield, IL

Purpose:

This fellowship provides comprehensive post-graduate training in the practice of clinical neurophysiology and epileptology, and a strong foundation for epilepsy research. Upon completion of training, it is expected that the trainee will gain expertise in interpretation of clinical neurophysiologic studies, and in providing tertiary level epilepsy care, including advanced pharmacologic and surgical management. During the fellowship the trainee will pursue a research project under the close guidance of faculty. The trainee will learn to construct proposals, obtain data, perform data analysis, and publish results. For two-year fellowships, the fellow will pursue an independent research project. The project will be determined by the trainee and will focus on either clinical or basic research aspects of epilepsy. These skills will provide the trainee a broad background to pursue clinical or academic careers.

Description of Program:

The program is fully accredited by the American Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) for added qualifications in clinical neurophysiology (ABPN), and offers a full range of tertiary clinical services and research programs for comprehensive training in clinical neurophysiology and epileptology. The patient population is well balanced, and the program is placed strategically in Central Illinois, assuring a large referral base.

1. Clinical Program

Full electrodiagnostic facilities are available, including digital EEG, EMG, and 64-channel digital intensive neuromonitoring equipment with computerized reformatting. The inpatient epilepsy unit includes non-invasive and intracranial electrographic recordings. Electrocorticography and functional mapping of brain are routinely performed. Neuropsychology is an integral part of the program, and provides localization of neuropsychologic deficits. Language and memory are tested with intracarotid amobarbital studies. The program also places a strong emphasis on clinical pharmacology and optimal medical management. Several investigational drug trials are on-going to test the efficacy of new antiepileptic drugs.

2. Clinical Research

The SIU epilepsy program is involved several clinical trials for new investigational antiepileptic drugs, and participates in the multi-center international trial involving vagus nerve stimulation for intractable partial epilepsy. Current collaborations involve projects with a fully accredited neurorehabilitation section and neuro-otolaryngology division.

3. Basic Research

There are several investigators who are researching mechanisms in epilepsy and antiepileptic therapy. Several studies center around the genetically-epilepsy prone rat and investigations on mechanisms of vagus nerve stimulation for epilepsy. The techniques currently used include extra and intracellular in vitro recording from slices of hippocampus and brain stem; in vivo recording of single units using microwire techniques; immunocytochemical staining methods; receptor and neurochemical assays. Additional techniques are available from the large neuroscience group at the University.

4. Design of Fellowship

One year fellowship

The one year fellowship will emphasize training in EEG, clinical neurophysiology, and clinical management aspects of epilepsy (including pharmacologic management of intractable epilepsy and surgical management of intractable epilepsy). Skill will be acquired in areas of non-invasive electrographic and electrocorticographic techniques. The fellow will participate in clinical drug trials. It is expected that the fellow will write a clinical proposal and obtain data.

Two year fellowship:

The two year fellowship will entail the experiences outlined above. In addition, a year will be spent on a detailed research project. The fellow may decide to pursue either a clinical or basic research project which will be performed under the guidance of the epilepsy faculty. Extra expertise in EEG and related clinical neurophysiology may also be obtained.

Fellowship Program Graduates

Fellowship faculty

Dean K. Naritoku, M.D.
Fellowship Program Director
Professor of Neurology and Pharmacology
Director, Center for Epilepsy

M. Steven Evans, M.D.
Professor of Neurology
Associate Program Director

Jose Espinosa, M.D.
Associate Professor of Neurosurgery
Epilespy Surgery

Ronald Zec, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Neurology
Neuropsychometrics, Intracarotid amobarbital testing

Theodore Sunder, M.D.
Professor of Psychiatry, Pediatric Neurology
Pediatric EEG

Carl L. Faingold, Ph.D.
Professor of Pharmacology and Neurology

Joseph Q. Henkle, M.D.
Professor of Medicine
Director, Memorial Medical Center Sleep Laboratory

Janice Walbert, R.EEG.T
Director, School of EEG technology
St. John's Hospital

Diane Vail, R.EEG.T., R.EP.T.
EEG laboratory supervisor
Memorial Medical Center

Steven Todd
Sleep laboratory supervisor
Memorial Medical Center

Rodger J. Elble, M.D., PhD
Professor and Chair Department of Neurology
Director, Neurology Residency Program

Zeng Wang, M.D., PhD
Assistant Professor of Neurology

K. Harirama Acharya, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Neurology

Michael Pranzatelli, M.D.
Professor and Chief of Pediatric Neurology

Allen B. DevlescHoward, M.D.
Clinical Professor of Neurology

David A. Gelber, M.D.
Clinical Associate Professor of Neurology

Diane Liesen, BA, R.EEG.T

Applications

Send your curriculum vitae, application form and a letter from your residency program director and one additional residency faculty member to:

Dean K. Naritoku, M.D.
Dept. of Neurology
Southern IL University
PO Box 19643
Springfield, IL 62794-9643

phone: (217)545-5175
fax: (217)545-8039

Download application form in .PDF format

e-mail us for more information