Billy McLaughlin

Minnesota Epilepsy Group will be sponsoring the  Light Up the Night Gala again this year.  This is a benefit for people affected by seizures.  Proceeds support the programs and services provided by the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota.

This year’s Gala will include dinner, silent/live auctions and entertainment.  Guitarist, composer and producer, Billy McLaughlin will speak and perform.  Billy overvame a neuromuscular disease and relarned guitar playing left-handed.  He also has a teenage son with epilepsy and knows first-hand about the challenges created by epilepsy and seizures.

Tickets are $100/person and sponsorships are available.

Location: Minneapolis Marriot Southwest
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2013
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM

Visit the EFMN website for more info and to purchase tickets.

2011 Epilepsy Stroll

We’ll be strolling for epilepsy next month! Support the ‘MEG Walkers’ and help us reach and exceed our goal!

The money our team raises will help the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota lead the fight to stop seizures, find a cure and overcome the challenges created by epilepsy. 60,000 people in our community have epilepsy and you likely know someone with seizures.

Susan Axelrod

Jerry Kill

Koivu Mikko

Saturday, May 19, 2012 from 6:00 – 10:00 PM is the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota’s 9^th Annual “Light Up the Night” Gala featuring 5 Eyewitness News anchor Leah McLean as host. This year’s keynote speaker is Susan Axelrod, CURE founder and epilepsy advocate,  special guests coach Jerry and Rebecca Kill and 2012 Epilepsy Champion Award Winner Mikko Koivu of the Minnesota Wild.

Minnesota Epilepsy Group is sponsoring this event with a table.  “Light Up the Night” is a benefit for people affected by seizures.  Proceeds support the programs and services provided by the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota.

Purple day is an international grassroots effort started by Cassidy Megan of Nova Scotia to help spread awareness of epilepsy around the world.  On March 26th annually, people in countries around the world are invited to wear purple and host events in support of epilepsy awareness.  We will be participating by wearing purple this March 26th and we invite you to as well!

Learn more about Purple Day at www.purpleday.org

Epilepsy Society App
by The National Society for Epilepsy

Features:

• Seizure diary
• Seizure facts
• Medication information
• Recovery guide

Download for iPhone
Download for Android

My Epilepsy Diary
by Epilepsy.com

Features:

• Seizure diary
• Medication tracking
• Text/email reminders
• Print reports

Download for iPhone

Track It
by Seizuretracker.com

Features:

• Seizure logging
• Record seizures with video
• Integration with Youtube
• Graphical reports and statistics

Download for iPhone

The Track It app is an extension of the online seizure logging website seizuretracker.com .  It’s free and you can use it online or with the app.

Know about a good epilepsy app?  Lets us know about it in the comments.

Sample EEG recording

The purpose of having an EEG (Electroencephalogram) done is to give your doctor information about your brain activity and the behavior that accompanies it.

A technologist will ask you questions about your medical history, then measure your head and apply a number of wires to the surface of your scalp based on these measurements. The wires will then be used to record both the electrical activity of your brain and videotape your behavior using special equipment.

Most patients will be asked to perform what are known as “activation procedures”; these include having a light flashed in their eyes (photic stimulation), and over breathing (hyperventilation).  Taking a short nap during the recording period will also be strongly encouraged.

The technologist performing your test will give you specific instructions during the course of the test, and answer questions that you might have to the best of their ability. They will also do all they can to keep you comfortable, and will balance that with the need to keep you safe and obtain a high-quality test for your physician to interpret.

Child with EEG electrodes on

Your hair should be clean and dry so the recording wires can be sufficiently attached to guarantee accurate readings. Anything that would be placed in the hair such as plastic beads, hair gels, hair sprays, tight braids, extensions, etc., should be avoided, again to guarantee the wires can be adequately attached in a timely fashion.

Medications

Unless otherwise instructed you should take prescribed medications as you would normally. Generally you may follow your normal meal/snack schedule, but because taking a short nap is strongly encouraged try to limit your intake of caffeinated beverages.

Your physician will give you any specific instructions that you might need for the test.

Parents/Guardians

During the EEG monitoring procedure, we require that a parent, guardian or responsible adult be present during the entire procedure for pediatric and vulnerable adult patients.

Prep Checklist

• Clean and dry hair with no products

• Take prescribed medications unless otherwise instructed

• No caffeinated beverages prior to test

• Arrive 15 minutes early

• Call us if you have any questions 651.241.5290

Magnetoencephalogram

Did you know that Minnesota Epilepsy Group has the only clinical MEG machine (Magnetoencephalogram) in the state of Minnesota?  As a level 4 epilepsy center we offer a comprehensive package of diagnostic services and expertise no other center can provide.

MEG seizure focus on MRI

Magnetoencephalography uses superconductive sensors to map the magnetic fields created by the brain’s electrical activity.  For people with seizures it can pinpoint where the seizures are coming from.  Those seizure areas can be plotted onto a picture of your brain from an MRI.

MEG can also map the location of brain functions including motor, sensory and primary language areas.  This kind of mapping is especially important when removing brain tumors and can provide your neurosurgeon vital information on locations of vital function.

Visit our MEG/MSI (Magnetic Source Imaging) lab online at www.magneticsourceimaging.net for more information on MEG.

Magnetic Source Imaging

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Dr. Mary Dunn, our consulting neurosurgeon here at Minnesota Epilepsy Group talks about brain surgery and the use of Magnetic Source Imaging (MSI)/BrainLAB stereo-tactic navigation.

The Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota supports the 60,000 Minnesotans & North Dakotans living with epilepsy.

Visit www.epilepsyfoundationmn.org to find out get involved with Epilepsy Awareness and help those with epilepsy.