Training & Curriculum
The Epilepsy Fellowship Program provides an educational experience and a strong foundation in the technical, interpretive and clinical aspects of electroencephalography (EEG), noninvasive and invasive video-EEG monitoring (VEM) as part of the pre-surgical evaluation of patients with intractable epilepsy, intraoperative electrocorticography (ECoG), functional cortical mapping, as well as special diagnostic studies including angio-Wada, FDG-PET, Ictal SPECT, with magnetoencephalography (MEG) being performed off-site. The program emphasizes the diagnostic evaluation and diagnosis of epilepsy syndromes, their medical management, and the pre-surgical evaluation and surgical treatment of patients with intractable epilepsy in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
Clinical experience is complemented by a series of weekly didactic lectures, semimonthly epilepsy surgical conference and monthly Journal Club.
Upon successful completion of training, fellows will be eligible for certification in the subspecialty of epilepsy by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
The program goals include the following:
- Ability to interpret routine adult, pediatric and neonatal EEGs
- Competency in the interpretation of continuous EEG monitoring for patients in neurology and other intensive care units
- Participation in the Cedars-Sinai Epilepsy Monitoring Unit, including interpretation of synchronized video/EEG recordings and direct patient care for individuals admitted for video-telemetries and ictal single-photon emission computerized tomography scans
- Responsibilities in the wide array of intraoperative neurophysiological testing and monitoring studies performed at Cedars-Sinai—these activities include electrocorticography, motor strip mapping, and direct cortical stimulation for functional brain mapping
- Acquisition of basic skills such as performing EEGs and sphenoidal electrode placement
Research
The fellow participates in research activities and is required to have at least one research project.
Teaching
The fellow is integrated into the teaching activities provided for the Cedars-Sinai Department of Neurology and Department of Medicine residents, as well as for medical students rotating in neurology and neurophysiology.
Have Questions or Need Help?
Contact us if you have questions or would like to learn more about the Epilepsy Fellowship Program at Cedars-Sinai.