The center's multidisciplinary team includes neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, psychiatrists, neurophysiologists, nurse specialists and social workers. Patients also can visit Parkland's community clinics, which are equipped to help with health maintenance. Epilepsy can cost thousands of dollars a year in doctors' visits, laboratory studies and drugs, and many individuals with epilepsy are unable to secure insurance. In perhaps the first clinic in the country dedicated specifically to pregnant women with epilepsy, UT Southwestern neurologists and obstetricians work closely with patients who are interested in starting a family. They talk candidly about genuine risk factors, debunk false myths and offer guidance regarding medication and lifestyle alterations.
Physicians believe that percentage can rise substantially with improved education and monitoring.
Epilepsy therapies have mushroomed in number and variety in recent years. While no new drugs were released between 1978 and 1993, six medications have been introduced in the past four years and more are expected in the next year or two. Doctors now can choose from about 12 drugs, including phenobarbital, primidone and ethosuximide. Surgery is increasingly effective in aiding patients who are not helped by drugs. As a research center, UT Southwestern is involved in many on-going drug trials, offering adult and pediatric patients access to the most promising new treatments.