The Epilepsy Research Program of the Ontario Brain Institute (EpLink)

About Eplink

The Epilepsy Research Program of the Ontario Brain Institute (EpLink) was established in 2011 under the leadership of co-directors Dr. McIntyre Burnham and Dr. Jorge Burneo with a mission to reduce seizures and improve the quality of life for people with epilepsy through research. Mary Pat McAndrews and Sharon Whiting joined EpLink's leadership team in 2018 and steered its grand vision: a world without epilepsy. EpLink's research focused on developing more effective drug therapies, improving diet therapies and surgical procedures, uncovering new treatment options with gene therapy and brain stimulation, and creating new programs to improve cognition, mood, and quality of life for individuals living with uncontrolled seizures.

EpLink's Legacy: Achivements and Impact

Seizure Resources for Patients, Women, Families, & Teachers

  • What Type of Seizures Do I Have?

    Learn about the different types of seizures those with epilepsy can have.

  • Seizure Management Resource

    Living with uncontrolled seizures? Learn more about how to manage seizures.

  • Women with Epilepsy

    Considerations for women living with epilepsy.

  • Teacher Resources for Epilepsy

    Teacher toolkit to promote well-being in students with epilepsy.

Epilepsy Referral Pathway & Navigating the Healthcare System

  • Referral Pathway

    Clinical guidelines for the management of epilepsy: diagnosis, treatment, and referral pathway.

  • Transitioning from Pediatric to Adult Healthcare

    These documents are supplementary and help to promote consistent care and a successful transition when moving from the pediatric to the adult healthcare system.

Resources for Healthcare Providers

  • Primary Healthcare Provider Resources

    A general overview of epilepsy for healthcare providers.

  • Community Neurologists

    A more in-depth overview of things to know about epilepsy surgery and alternatives to surgery.

  • District Epilepsy Centres (DECs) and Regional Epilepsy Surgical Centres (RESCs)

    Find the nearest DEC or RESC within Ontario.

COVID-19 Epilepsy Resources

Acknowledgements

We wish to thank the following groups for their valuable contributions to epilepsy research.

EpLink Co-Directors:

  • Mary Pat McAndrews, PhD, CPysch
  • McIntyre Burnham, PhD
  • Sharon Whiting, MBBS, FRCPC

EpLink Staff Members:

  • Amaya Singh, PhD
  • Hamed Moazami, MSc
  • Sahil Patel, BSc

Community Epilepsy Agencies:

  • Joanna Kapusta, CAC Chair (Epilepsy Toronto)
  • Drew Woodley (Epilepsy Ontario)
  • Jayme Arts (Epilepsy Southwestern Ontario)
  • Jo-Anne Welton (Epilepsy North Bay)
  • Michelle Franklin (Epilepsy Southwestern Ontario)
  • Nikki Porter (Epilepsy Ottawa)

Community Members:

  • Andrea Cameron
  • Ann Perl
  • Gena Meldazy
  • Nancy Mingo, MD
  • Natasha Causton
  • Sangeeta Staley
  • Shelly Philip LaForest

EpLink Management Committee:

  • Ali Khan, PhD
  • Amaya Singh, PhD
  • Danielle Andrade, MD
  • Elizabeth Donner, MD
  • Hamed Moazami, MSc
  • Jim Eubanks, PhD
  • Joanna Kapusta
  • Mary Lou Smith, PhD, CPsych
  • Mary Pat McAndrews, PhD, CPsych
  • McIntyre Burnham, PhD
  • Peter Carlen, MD
  • Rajesh RamachandranNair, MD
  • Sharon Whiting, MBBS