The Epilepsy Section within the Department of Neurology at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine is committed to advancing excellence in clinical care, research, and education related to epilepsy and seizure disorders. As Oklahoma’s only Level IV Epilepsy Center designated by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC), our program serves as a regional referral hub for adults and children with complex and refractory epilepsy.
Clinical Mission
The Section provides the full spectrum of epilepsy services, including advanced diagnostic evaluation, long-term video-EEG monitoring, surgical treatment, and neuromodulation therapies. Our 8-bed Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU)supports inpatient characterization of seizures, presurgical evaluation, and optimization of antiseizure therapy. Adult and pediatric epilepsy care is closely integrated with the Comprehensive Epilepsy Surgery Program. Multidisciplinary case conferences include epileptologists, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, neuropsychologists, and specialized nursing and dietary staff to ensure individualized, evidence-based management.
Research and Innovation
Faculty in the Epilepsy Section are actively engaged in translational and clinical research addressing seizure mechanisms, drug-resistant epilepsy, and outcomes of neuromodulation and surgical therapy. Ongoing projects include investigations of seizure prediction, neuroimaging biomarkers, cognitive outcomes following epilepsy surgery, and the application of digital health technologies for seizure detection. The Section also participates in multicenter clinical trials evaluating new pharmacologic and device therapies, contributing to the advancement of evidence-based epilepsy care both regionally and nationally.
Education and Training
Education is central to the Section’s academic mission. Faculty provide comprehensive teaching for medical students, and neurology residents. The training experience emphasizes accurate seizure classification, interpretation of EEG and long-term monitoring, surgical evaluation, and multidisciplinary management. In addition, the Section supports community education initiatives and professional outreach to improve epilepsy awareness and care delivery across Oklahoma.
Collaborative Partnerships
The Epilepsy Section maintains close collaborations with OU Health Neurosurgery, Neuroradiology, Neuropsychology, and Biomedical Engineering to foster innovation in diagnostics and treatment. Pediatric epilepsy care is delivered in partnership with OU Health Children’s Hospital, ensuring seamless transition from pediatric to adult services.
Our Team
Future Directions
Strategic priorities for the Section include expanding faculty recruitment, developing advanced neurostimulation programs, and enhancing clinical research infrastructure. Plans are underway to increase EMU capacity, integrate artificial intelligence into EEG analytics, and strengthen academic collaborations across the OU Health Campus.