Women with Epilepsy: Treatment consideration across the lifespan

Moderator: Amiee Karstens, Ph.D.

Panelists: Kelsey Smith, Eva Alden, Ph.D.,  M.D., Savanna Tierney, Ph.D.

INTRODUCTION

Kelsey M. Smith, MD is an epileptologist and Assistant Professor of Neurology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. She completed her neurology, epilepsy, and EEG training at Mayo Clinic in 2022 prior to joining the epilepsy division. Her research and clinical interests include autoimmune associated seizures disorders, genetic generalized epilepsy syndromes, and women with epilepsy.

Eva Alden, Ph.D., L.P is a neuropsychologist and Assistant Professor of Psychology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Her research interests involve psychometrics and improving functional outcomes in neurosurgical patients, including epilepsy and neuro-oncology. Her clinical interests include intraoperative monitoring and cognitive mapping during awake brain surgeries.

Savanna M. Tierney, Ph.D, L.P. is a neuropsychologist and Assistant Professor of Psychology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Her research and clinical interests include improving functional outcomes for patients with epileptic and non-epileptic events, as well as healthy and atypical aging.  She is also interested in developing novel, ecologically valid tasks to assess activities of daily living within these populations.

Aimee Karstens, Ph.D, L.P. is a neuropsychologist and Assistant Professor of Psychology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. She specializes in dementia and leads the multicultural/foreign language practice including the Spanish language neuropsychology service. Her research interests include cognitive test and normative data development and risk factors for cognitive decline and dementia (female sex-specific factors, APOE, diet).

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Upon conclusion of this activity, participants should be able to:

• Recognize challenges for seizure management in WWE.
• Describe endogenous and exogenous hormonal interactions with antiepileptics and seizure severity.
• Employ recommendations to improve outcomes in WWE including family planning and quality of life.

ATTENDANCE / CREDIT
Text the session code (provided only at the session) to 507-200-3010 within 48 hours of the live presentation to record attendance. All learners are encouraged to text attendance regardless of credit needs. This number is only used for receiving text messages related to tracking attendance. Additional tasks to obtain credit may be required based on the specific activity requirements and will be announced accordingly. Swiping your badge will not provide credit; that process is only applicable to meet GME requirements for Residents & Fellows.

TRANSCRIPT
Any credit or attendance awarded from this session will appear on your Transcript.

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