Author: Wei Zhao, Siefaddeen Sharayah, Michael R. Butler, Kathryn Forsman, Kaley J. Marcinski Nascimento, Rejean M. Guerriero, Rikke S. Møller, M. Scott Perry, Fábio A. Nascimento
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Journal of the Neurological Sciences | Epilepsy transition of care: Lessons and insights from an academic adult-based epilepsy transition program in the US
Article Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2026.125970
A retrospective study evaluated the implementation and outcomes of a specialized adult-based epilepsy transition program (ETP) in the United States, designed to transfer pediatric epilepsy patients into adult care. Led by an adult epileptologist specializing in pediatric epilepsies, the program analyzed 135 patients with a median age of 21 years who completed initial visits between July 2022 and January 2025.
Approximately one-third of the participants presented with drug-resistant epilepsy, nearly half were prescribed multiple antiseizure medications, and over half had a neuropsychiatric comorbidity. Initial clinic visits averaged a median billable time of 90 minutes and frequently prompted additional clinical interventions, including brain MRI orders for 43% of patients, routine EEGs for 38%, and genetic testing for 34%.
Key successes identified included robust clinical reassessment opportunities with revenue-generating potential and educational experiences for neurology trainees, while primary challenges involved resource limitations, care coordination obstacles, and systemic healthcare barriers.
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