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ST. PAUL // HEALTHCARE PROFILES
THE EPILEPSY EXPERTS
FOR ALL AGES
Founded in 1990, Minnesota Epilepsy Group is one
of the nation’s largest private practices for adult and
pediatric epilepsy.
Mike Frost, MD, (left) and
Jason Doescher, MD, interact
with a mother and child.
Patricia Penovich, MD,
examines a mother-to-be.
WOMEN AND
EPILEPSY
Epilepsy as it relates to the unique
needs of women is a special area
of interest for Minnesota Epilepsy
Group.
M
ost people have a limited
understanding of epilepsy,
but few truly understand
the complexity and challenges of this
multifactorial disease.
“There’s a stigma associated with
epilepsy, and it’s not justified,” says
pediatric epileptologist Dr. Mike Frost.
“It’s a lot more common than people
think.”
Often presenting in childhood,
epilepsy in children is more
common than cystic fibrosis and
muscular dystrophy combined. Its
prevalence has inspired the dedicated,
multidisciplinary team at Minnesota
Epilepsy Group to continually pioneer
new medications and technologies to
improve the quality of life of those who
suffer from it.
“Seizures do harm to the brain, so
our goal is to get them controlled as
early as possible,” says Dr. Frost.
With inpatient and outpatient
locations on both sides of the river,
the practice offers expertise in infants,
special needs patients, tuberous
sclerosis, women’s care, geriatrics,
genetic disorders, and clinical trials.
Three accredited, 10-bed EEG
hospital units are staffed around
the clock with board-certified EEG
technologists. Advanced surgical
options include laser ablation (a less
invasive alternative to craniotomy)
and implantable devices that act like a
pacemaker to stop seizures.
The practice is also one of
few practices nationwide to offer
magnetoencephalography, a
noninvasive method of pre-surgical
functional mapping.
“Newer weapons are becoming
available all the time,” says Dr. Frost.
“As a comprehensive center, we’re
proud to offer patients opportunities
to participate in the newest and most
effective developments.”
By participating in national, groundbreaking studies that follow the
effects of medication on pregnancy
and infant development, the team
has the knowledge to recommend
treatment plans that maximize the
chance of having a healthy baby.
“We always reaffirm to patients that
90 percent of babies with mothers
that have epilepsy will be healthy,
but patients must be compliant with
their medications,” says Dr. Patricia
Penovich. “I tell patients: When
you’re pregnant, your baby owns
your body.”
Other women’s issues—such as birth
control effectiveness, menstruation,
menopause, and bone density—can
also be affected by the medications
required to control seizures.
“We look at all factors when deciding
which treatment plan is best for each
patient,” says Dr. Penovich. “Good
communication with patients, their
family, and their OB/GYN is very
important for successful outcomes.”
Locations in St. Paul, Edina, Plymouth,
and Minneapolis.
651-241-5290 | www.mnepilepsy.org/lhj