Ruben Kuzniecky
Encyclopedia
Ruben Kuzniecky, M.D. is a professor of Neurology specializing in the field of epilepsy
and Magnetic Resonance Imaging
(MRI). He was the first to recognize and prove that mesial temporal sclerosis
, a common cause for difficult to control temporal lobe epilepsy, can be identified with MRI.
, Panama
, graduating from the University of Buenos Aires Medical School in Argentina in 1981. After 2 years of medical/surgical internship, he did a year of internal medicine at McGill University hospitals followed by residency training in Neurology at McGill University, Montreal, Canada between 1983–1987 and epilepsy EEG fellowship at the Montreal Neurological Institute
in 1988. Dr. Kuzniecky has co-directed epilepsy research at the New York University
(NYU) Comprehensive Epilepsy Center
since 2003. Prior to arriving at NYU, he directed the Epilepsy Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham
from 1992 to 2003.
His research is centered on the use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and its applications to epilepsy and on unraveling the major developmental brain malformations in epilepsy. He was the first to recognize and prove that mesial temporal sclerosis, a common cause for difficult epilepsy, can be identified with MRI. On the area of brain malformations, he is the co-author of the widely recognized classification scheme. He has authored over two hundred and fifty (250) chapters and journal articles on a number of topics related to epilepsy and has written two books on MRI applications in epilepsy and more recently a patient guide (Epilepsy 101:The Ultimate Guide for Patients and Families)http://www.medicuspress.com. In 2007, Dr. Kuzniecky was co-awarded a major grant from the National Institutes of Health
to organize the Epilepsy Phenome/Genome Project
.
Dr Kuzniecky described the Kuzniecky Syndrome in 1991, also known as Perisylvian Polymicrogyria
. The Syndrome is characterized by seizures, cognitive abnormalities, and a peculiar inability to use the mouth and tongue muscles. This syndrome is recognized by as a specific malformation of the brain.
Current Research projects include the development of a brain drug delivery device to treat seizures in collaboration with Dr. Nandor Ludvig of the NYU epilepsy Research Division http://www.med.nyu.edu/cec/research/investigations.html#HNP. He is also working with Biolert LTD from Israel to develop a watch sensor to detect convulsive seizures http://www.biolertsys.com/dynamic.asp?cid=3159&im=solutionStrip&tyt=Overview. Dr. Kuzniecky and his associates have received several patents including one for system and Device for Seizure Detection (US 2008/0082019 A1). He has been recognized for his efforts in the "Best Doctors in America" in 1995, 1998, and 2002–2011, and by the New Yorker since 2004 as one of the best doctors in the New York Metro area. Dr. Kuzniecky attends to patients with epilepsy and complex neurologic disorders at the NYU Epilepsy center (P:646-558-0806).
An in-depth look at the advances in imaging technology as applied to epilepsy research.
Epilepsy 101: The ultimate Guide for Patients and Families. www.Medicuspress.com
Other Publications
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a common chronic neurological disorder characterized by seizures. These seizures are transient signs and/or symptoms of abnormal, excessive or hypersynchronous neuronal activity in the brain.About 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, and nearly two out of every three new cases...
and Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Magnetic resonance imaging
Magnetic resonance imaging , nuclear magnetic resonance imaging , or magnetic resonance tomography is a medical imaging technique used in radiology to visualize detailed internal structures...
(MRI). He was the first to recognize and prove that mesial temporal sclerosis
Mesial temporal sclerosis
Mesial temporal sclerosis is a specific pattern of hippocampal neuron cell loss . There are 3 specific patterns of cell loss; Cell loss might involve sectors CA1 and CA4, CA4 alone, or CA1 to CA4 . Associated hippocampal atrophy and gliosis is common...
, a common cause for difficult to control temporal lobe epilepsy, can be identified with MRI.
Bio
Dr. Kuzniecky was born and raised by his parents Betzalel and Sara Kuzniecky in Panama CityPanama City
Panama is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Panama. It has a population of 880,691, with a total metro population of 1,272,672, and it is located at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal, in the province of the same name. The city is the political and administrative center of the...
, Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
, graduating from the University of Buenos Aires Medical School in Argentina in 1981. After 2 years of medical/surgical internship, he did a year of internal medicine at McGill University hospitals followed by residency training in Neurology at McGill University, Montreal, Canada between 1983–1987 and epilepsy EEG fellowship at the Montreal Neurological Institute
Montreal Neurological Institute
The Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital is an academic medical centre dedicated to neuroscience research, training and clinical care. The Institute is part of McGill University and the Hospital is one of the five teaching hospitals of the McGill University Health Centre, in Montreal,...
in 1988. Dr. Kuzniecky has co-directed epilepsy research at the New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
(NYU) Comprehensive Epilepsy Center
Comprehensive Epilepsy Center
A Comprehensive Epilepsy Center is an academic department of epilepsy in the United States that meets certain criteria and has certain resources available for the care of the most complicated patients with epilepsy...
since 2003. Prior to arriving at NYU, he directed the Epilepsy Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham
University of Alabama at Birmingham
The University of Alabama at Birmingham is a public university in Birmingham in the U.S. state of Alabama. Developing from an extension center established in 1936, the institution became an autonomous institution in 1969 and is today one of three institutions in the University of Alabama System...
from 1992 to 2003.
His research is centered on the use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and its applications to epilepsy and on unraveling the major developmental brain malformations in epilepsy. He was the first to recognize and prove that mesial temporal sclerosis, a common cause for difficult epilepsy, can be identified with MRI. On the area of brain malformations, he is the co-author of the widely recognized classification scheme. He has authored over two hundred and fifty (250) chapters and journal articles on a number of topics related to epilepsy and has written two books on MRI applications in epilepsy and more recently a patient guide (Epilepsy 101:The Ultimate Guide for Patients and Families)http://www.medicuspress.com. In 2007, Dr. Kuzniecky was co-awarded a major grant from the National Institutes of Health
National Institutes of Health
The National Institutes of Health are an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services and are the primary agency of the United States government responsible for biomedical and health-related research. Its science and engineering counterpart is the National Science Foundation...
to organize the Epilepsy Phenome/Genome Project
Epilepsy Phenome/Genome Project
The Epilepsy Phenome/Genome Project is a government-funded study to identify genes that influence the development of epilepsy and genes that affect the response to treatment. The study involves 25 major epilepsy centers and more than 150 scientists and clinical staff around the United States,...
.
Dr Kuzniecky described the Kuzniecky Syndrome in 1991, also known as Perisylvian Polymicrogyria
Polymicrogyria
Polymicrogyria is a developmental malformation of the human brain characterized by an excessive number of small convolutions on the surface of the brain...
. The Syndrome is characterized by seizures, cognitive abnormalities, and a peculiar inability to use the mouth and tongue muscles. This syndrome is recognized by as a specific malformation of the brain.
Current Research projects include the development of a brain drug delivery device to treat seizures in collaboration with Dr. Nandor Ludvig of the NYU epilepsy Research Division http://www.med.nyu.edu/cec/research/investigations.html#HNP. He is also working with Biolert LTD from Israel to develop a watch sensor to detect convulsive seizures http://www.biolertsys.com/dynamic.asp?cid=3159&im=solutionStrip&tyt=Overview. Dr. Kuzniecky and his associates have received several patents including one for system and Device for Seizure Detection (US 2008/0082019 A1). He has been recognized for his efforts in the "Best Doctors in America" in 1995, 1998, and 2002–2011, and by the New Yorker since 2004 as one of the best doctors in the New York Metro area. Dr. Kuzniecky attends to patients with epilepsy and complex neurologic disorders at the NYU Epilepsy center (P:646-558-0806).
Published works
- Magnetic Resonance in Epilepsy, Second Edition: Neuroimaging Techniques, Second Edition
An in-depth look at the advances in imaging technology as applied to epilepsy research.
Epilepsy 101: The ultimate Guide for Patients and Families. www.Medicuspress.com
Other Publications