Child and adolescent epileptology

This research unit deals mainly with the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy in children and adolescents, and focuses in particular on drug-resistant epileptic syndromes. It is currently conducting research in the field of epilepsy genetics and in the identification of surgically treatable forms of epilepsy, and applying detailed protocols for the study of rare syndromes such as CSWS, channelopathies and Ring20.

For more than 20 years, thanks to our collaboration with the Interdepartmental Center for Studies and Research on Human Nutrition and Eating Disorders of the University of Pavia, we have been a center of reference, both in Italy and internationally, for the ketogenic diet treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy and GLUT-1 deficiency syndrome.

The medical staff has ongoing scientific and research relationships with numerous European and international centers, and the unit is one of the 5 Italian specialist centers belonging to EpiCARE, the European Reference Network (ERN) for rare and complex epilepsies.

The unit is recognized by the Italian League Against Epilepsy (LICE) and it is a reference point for several non-profit (“Onlus”) patient and family associations in Italy: ELO (Epilessia Lombardia Onlus), Associazione italiana GLUT-1, Associazione CDKL5 Onlus, Airett Onlus and Dravet Italia Onlus.

Specialized equipment:

Ambulatory recording equipment

• 2 computer-assisted video-EEG monitoring stations, each equipped with a 32-channel EEG Nicolet video EEG system and located in a single, soundproofed patient room with three video cameras and the possibility to play music and videos
• 1 portable computer-assisted video EEG system
• 1 patient room devoted to computerized EEG and prolonged video recording (with data transmission via a 64-channel telemetry network directly to the recording room), three video cameras and a private bathroom
• Pattern reversal stimulator
• 1 Holter portable EEG / polysomnography system