About Us

In the early 1970s, Dr. Warren Blume, a neurologist and epileptologist, and Dr. John Girvin, a neurosurgeon and neurophysiologist, recognized the need for a specialized epilepsy unit in southwestern Ontario, one of Canada's most heavily populated areas. Dr. Girvin performed the first epilepsy surgery at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) in 1974.

In 1977, the Epilepsy Program was formally established with the generous support of grants from the Academic Development Fund of Western University, the Richard and Jean Ivey Fund, and the London Health Association (owners and operators of London Health Sciences Centre). A multidisciplinary team of health care professionals with expertise in epilepsy gradually took shape.

In 1986, a four-bed inpatient epilepsy unit dedicated to the investigation and monitoring of seizures was opened on the 10th floor of LHSC’s University Hospital campus. This increased the efficiency of inpatient evaluation, allowing a greater number of patients to undergo surgery and other treatments for epilepsy.

Over the years the growing need for inpatient evaluation necessitated an expansion of the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) to 8 beds in 1992. The entire unit was streamlined in conjunction with the adjacent EEG department to provide the most efficient service possible.

In 2002, an installation of 8 fully digital state of the art video-telemetry systems developed in collaboration with XLTEK Corporation of Oakville, Ontario, was carried away, for the monitoring of complex epilepsies at University Hospital as well as the opening of a dedicated pediatric epilepsy monitoring bed using the same equipment at Children's Hospital in 2007.

Most recent innovations have included an expansion of the EMU to 11 beds, the performance of stereoelectroencephalography, and the acquisition of intraoperatory robotic arm for the placement of intracranial depth electrodes.

Our research focuses have been epidemiology of the epilepsies, outcome following different interventions (medical and surgical) in the care of patients with epilepsy, and neuroimaging. We have strong links with the Peters/Khan and Bartha neuroimaging groups (with the only available Canadian 7T and 9.4T MRIs), the Poulter basic science epilepsy research laboratory at the Robarts Research Institute, and the Institute of Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES).

In our center, the first randomized control trial on the use of epilepsy surgery was performed, as well as numerous clinical trials on new anti-seizure drugs, and epidemiological research.

Trainees are encouraged to participate in one of the many research projects going on in the Epilepsy Program. Those interested in a career in academic epileptology are expected to participate in at least one project during their fellowship training. For certain projects, a fellow may be eligible for the 2 year Masters degree programme in Neuroscience.

Our Epilepsy program has fellowship training programs in clinical epilepsy and EEG as well as in epilepsy surgery.

The Epilepsy and EEG fellowship program is dedicated to train neurologists in the field of epilepsy and EEG. The duration of the fellowship is 1-2 years. Academic neurologists are encouraged to do a 2-year fellowship. During this time, our fellows train in the different aspects of epileptology, including reading of outpatient and inpatient scalp EEGs, continuous video-EEG in the intensive care unit, pediatric EEGs, as well as video-EEG recording with scalp and intracranial (stereoelectroencephalography) electrodes. Our fellows are also exposed to the different imaging techniques used in the assessment of patients with epilepsy, including single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), positron emission tomography (PET), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and functional MRI. Exposure to clinical neuropsychological assessment, including intracarotid amobarbital testing, electrocorticography and clinical psychological assessment. Training on the use of Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) and stimulation of the anterior nuclei of the thalami (ANT) is also provided.

The epilepsy surgery fellowship program is a 1-year training for neurosurgeons, focused in the training of the different epilepsy surgery techniques, placement of intracranial electrodes, and implantation of neurostimulation devices, including VNS, ANT of the thalami, among others.

Our trainess  attend daily EEG reading sessions (1400 hours), observe and participate in EEG recordings with technologist from start to finish making use of and contribute to teaching materials attend any formal EEG teaching sessions. They are also exposed to intracranial recordings, including stereoelectroencephalography as well as electrocorticography.

Those aiming to take the Canadian EEG Examination can refer to the link: 

http://www.cnsfederation.org/cnsf/cscn/eeg-exams/

* Neurosurgery trainees may have a different emphasis

Patients are admitted to the Epilepsy Unit for surgical investigation, for diagnostic workup and occasionally for anti-seizure drug management. Our trainees are responsible for some or all patients in the unit. Trainees will also be responsible for off-service epilepsy consultations in the hospital.

All paediatric EEGs are reviewed in the daily reading sessions. Children younger than 15 years are generally not admitted to University Hospital but rather to the monitoring beds at Children's Hospital. Some children are followed as outpatients at University Hospital but trainees wishing additional exposure to paediatric epileptology may elect to do a one or more month rotation at the Children's Hospital.

Two of our faculty members have training not only in EEG but also in Neuro-critical care. Drs. Teneille Gofton and Derek Debicki are members of the critical care units and run the fellowship program in Neuro-critical care. They actively participate in EEG reading and epilepsy clinics.