Podcast CE

Episodes 22-23 | Pediatric Epilepsy – With Dr. Nancy Nussbaum

Overview

Part I: https://www.navneuro.com/22
Epilepsy is a broad term used to describe various neurologic conditions that cause seizures. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. had approximately 3 million adults and 470,000 children with epilepsy in 2015. Children with epilepsy are more likely to report academic difficulties, experience cognitive impairment, and live in poverty. Today we bring you Part 1 of our conversation with epilepsy expert Nancy Nussbaum, Ph.D., ABPP-CN. We cover a range of topics including the definition of epilepsy, epileptic syndromes and etiologies that are common in childhood, assessment, treatments, outcomes, and much more.

Part II: https://www.navneuro.com/23
We cover a range of topics including the role of a clinical neuropsychologist on an interdisciplinary team, common academic challenges, various treatment options, providing psychoeducation for families, and much more. We also ask Nancy about her experience as President of the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology (ABCN) and advice regarding leadership in the field.

The International Neuropsychological Society is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The International Neuropsychological Society maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Instructor Credentials

Nancy Nussbaum, Ph.D., ABPP-CN, is a pediatric neuropsychologist (she holds the subspecialty board-certification through ABPP) with over 30 years of experience. She is part of an interdisciplinary team at Dell Children’s Medical Center in Central Texas and is particularly interested in the assessment and treatment planning of children with epilepsy. Dr. Nussbaum is also the past president of the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology (ABCN) and is involved in research and training through the University of Texas.

Topics Covered

Part I:

Prevalence and etiology of epilepsy
Benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes
Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy
Dravet syndrome
Why do seizures often occur after a brain injury or infection
Seizure threshold
Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome
Infantile spasm
Petit mal seizures
Does each event cause brain damage that is cumulative over time
Hippocampal sclerosis
Why is the temporal lobe more seizure prone
Emotional sequelae of seizures
Do ethnicity/race, sex, or other factors moderate the symptomatology of epilepsy
Role of telemedicine
Protecting someone from harm during a seizure
International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) Practical Clinical Definition of epilepsy

Part II:

Common anti-epileptic drugs
Alternative treatments
The trade-off between removing epileptogenic tissue and chronic cognitive and emotional deficits
What is the role of a neurologist and neuroradiologist on an interdisciplinary team
What is the role of a neuropsychologist on that interdisciplinary team
Timeline of testing
Special considerations for the diagnostic interview of a pediatric epilepsy case
Neuropsychological battery for pediatric epilepsy post-surgery
Do you give feedback to the child, family, or both
Vagus nerve stimulation
Ketogenic diet
CBD
How common are pediatric epilepsy cases
Academic difficulties in children with epilepsy
Strategies for managing seizures in a school setting
How does a diagnosis of epilepsy affect driving
Providing psychoeducation to the family about their child with epilepsy

Educational Objectives

Part I:

Define basic epilepsy terminology
Discuss common causes of pediatric epilepsy
List common epilepsy syndromes and their characteristic profiles
Explain the relationship between the number of lifetime seizures and brain/cognitive impairment
Discuss the new clinical definition of epilepsy and how it differs from the old definition
Apply pediatric epilepsy knowledge in clinical assessment and feedback

Part II:

List common anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) used in children with epilepsy
Discuss the risk and efficacy of nonpharmacological interventions for children with epilepsy
List several considerations pertaining to neuropsychological feedback for children with epilepsy and their families
Discuss academic challenges faced by children with epilepsy, as well as strategies to manage the seizures
Apply pediatric epilepsy knowledge in clinical assessment and feedback

Target Audience

Introductory

Availability

Date Available: 2021-05-03
You may obtain CE for this podcast at any time.

Offered for CE

Cost

Members $20
Non-Members $25

Refund Policy

This podcast is not eligible for refunds

CE Credits

1.0 Credit(s)

Disclosures

Resources

Epilepsy Foundation: www.epilepsy.com

Bibliography

Part I:

Fisher, R. S., Acevedo, C., Arzimanoglou, A., Bogacz, A., Cross, J. H., Elger, C. E., et al. (2014). ILAE official report: a practical clinical definition of epilepsy. Epilepsia, 55(4), 475-482.
Glauser, T., Shinnar, S., Gloss, D., Alldredge, B., Arya, R., Bainbridge, J., et al. (2016). Evidence-based guideline: treatment of convulsive status epilepticus in children and adults: report of the Guideline Committee of the American Epilepsy Society. Epilepsy currents, 16(1), 48-61.
NINDS. (2015). Epilepsy: Hope Through Research: NIH Publication.
Nussbaum, N. L., Potvin, D. C., & Clarke, D. F. (2014). Application of a multidisciplinary model to a case example of presurgical epilepsy planning. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 28(8), 1321-1335.
CDC. (2017). School Health Policies and Practices Brief: Epilepsy and Seizure Disorder. Atlanta, GA: Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, US Dept of Health and Human Services.
Sauro, K. M., Wiebe, S., Dunkley, C., Janszky, J., Kumlien, E., Moshé, S., et al. (2016). The current state of epilepsy guidelines: A systematic review. Epilepsia, 57(1), 13-23.
Zack, M. M., & Kobau, R. (2017). National and state estimates of the numbers of adults and children with active epilepsy-United States, 2015. MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report, 66(31), 821.

Part II:

Chelune, G. J. (1995). Hippocampal adequacy versus functional reserve: predicting memory functions following temporal lobectomy. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 10(5), 413-432.
Kanner, A. M., Ashman, E., Gloss, D., Harden, C., Bourgeois, B., Bautista, J. F., et al. (2018a). Practice guideline update summary: Efficacy and tolerability of the new antiepileptic drugs I: Treatment of new-onset epilepsy: Report of the Guideline Development, Dissemination, and Implementation Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Epilepsy Society. Neurology, 91(2), 74-81.
Kanner, A. M., Ashman, E., Gloss, D., Harden, C., Bourgeois, B., Bautista, J. F., et al. (2018b). Practice guideline update summary: Efficacy and tolerability of the new antiepileptic drugs II: Treatment-resistant epilepsy: Report of the Guideline Development, Dissemination, and Implementation Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Epilepsy Society. Neurology, 91(2), 82-90.

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