Lawrence Hirsch, MD
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About
Titles
Professor of Neurology
Director, Fellowship Program, Neurophysiology; Chief, Division of Epilepsy and EEG; Co-Director, Yale Comprehensive Epilepsy Center; Co-Director, Critical Care EEG Monitoring ProgramBiography
Dr. Hirsch completed medical school and internship at Yale University, neurology residency at Columbia University, and a two-year fellowship in Epilepsy and EEG at Columbia. He remained at Columbia on the faculty from 1997-2011, where he created and directed the Continuous EEG Monitoring Program at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center for 10 years, and became Professor of Clinical Neurology at Columbia University in 2010. He moved to Yale University in 2011 as Professor of Neurology, Director of Epilepsy/EEG, Co-Director of Critical Care EEG Monitoring, and Co-Director (with Dr. Dennis Spencer) of the Yale Comprehensive Epilepsy Center.
Dr. Hirsch has published more than 150 original research manuscripts and more than 100 invited reviews, editorials or chapters. His research interests and publications are on topics such as brain monitoring with EEG in the critically ill, status epilepticus, brain stimulation for epilepsy, epilepsy surgery, seizure semiology, electrocorticography, brain mapping, effectiveness and tolerability of antiepileptic drugs, seizure clusters, and sudden death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Dr. Hirsch has directed symposia and lectured at many national and international epilepsy and neurology meetings. He is the founder and former chair of the Critical Care EEG Monitoring Research Consortium, which now includes >50 centers. He has won multiple teaching awards, and is co-author of the first-ever Atlas of EEG in Critical Care.
Appointments
Neurology
ProfessorPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
Education & Training
- Fellowship
- Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center (1997)
- Residency
- Columbia Presbyterian Center (1995)
- Intern
- Yale University (1992)
- MD
- Yale University School of Medicine (1991)
- BA
- University of Pennsylvania (1987)
Research
Overview
See PubMed.
Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Academic Achievements and Community Involvement
Clinical Care
Overview
Lawrence J. Hirsch, MD, is Professor of Neurology, Chief of the Division of Epilepsy and EEG, Co-Director of the Yale Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, and Co-Director of the Critical Care EEG Monitoring Program.
Yale's epilepsy center, which has existed for over 50 years, was one of the first centers of its kind, internationally known for its clinical excellence and innovative research for adult and pediatric patients. His goal in caring for patients with epilepsy is to return them to the point where they can live normal, seizure-free lives. “Over the years, we have cured several hundreds of patients of their chronic, disabling seizures. It's immensely satisfying for everyone,” he says.
Dr. Hirsch is an active researcher in such areas as epilepsy surgery, brain stimulation to treat epilepsy, anti-seizure medications, seizure clusters, and brain monitoring in the critically ill. He has published over 200 manuscripts, has won multiple teaching awards, and speaks internationally on a regular basis. He is excited about the development of less invasive, more tolerable techniques and tools, including stimulators and lasers, which provide excellent options in even the most difficult cases.
One of the greatest challenges in the field is that many patients do not obtain access to the best tests and treatments, Dr. Hirsch says. “My goal is to help close this gap in access to care via telemedicine, home video/EEG services, remote consults, and educational outreach to patients, families, and clinicians,” he says. “We will continue to push our ability to prevent or cure epilepsy in as many people as possible, and to maximize quality of life in all people with seizures.”
Dr. Hirsch has been included in Castle Connolly Medical Ltd.’s lists of Top Doctors.
Clinical Specialties
Fact Sheets
Epilepsy
Learn More on Yale MedicineEpilepsy in Children and Teens
Learn More on Yale MedicineMyasthenia Gravis
Learn More on Yale MedicineMeningitis
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