Francis M. Forster Epilepsy Center at William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin

Phone:  608-280-7044
Fax:  608-280-7140

Facilities and Equipment
 

EEG and Video Monitoring
The inpatient unit has the capability to monitor three patients with continuous EEG and video recording. Three 64 channel BMS units are available (two 5000 and one 4000 units). The physicians and staff have experience in using extra- and intracranial foramen ovale electrodes, subdural strip electrodes, cortical grid electrodes, and depth electrodes.

Brain Imaging
MRI facilities are available at the VA and the University of Wisconsin Hospital. Echo-planar imaging is available to assess blood flow and functional mapping. An FDG-PET scanner is at the VA and appropriate patients, particularly surgical candidates, are studied. The PET unit is under the direction of Dr. Scott Perlman, M.D.

Neuropsychological Testing
Dr. Austin Woodard, Ph.D. provides neuropsychological evaluation of epilepsy center patients. He also provides psychologic counseling for patients and their families. Dr. Bruce Hermann provides added experience for our patients.

Speech and Language Evaluation
Dr. Denise Cariski, Ph.D. heads a team that evaluates patients and their speech and language skills. Drs. Cariski, Woodard, and Hermann perform the testing used during the sodium amobarbital test.

Neuropharmacologic Assessment
Total and free serum levels as well as metabolites of antiepileptic drugs are used to appropriately change dosage and drug combinations. Serum concentrations of new medications can be determined so that therapeutic concentrations and dose dependent side effects can be identified.

 

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