Interview with Lara V. Marcuse, M.D., Madeline C. Fields, M.D., and Jiyeoun Jenna Yoo, M.D.

How has Rowan’s Primer of EEG, 3rd Edition evolved since the previous edition? How has it evolved since the first edition?  

Since the previous edition, we have added two chapters: Chapter 6 Intracranial monitoring and Chapter 8 Quantitative EEG. We have updated all nomenclature to adhere to the most current guidelines, and we have made the video library and the question-and-answer section (which is online material) more extensive and more fun.  

What is the most exciting aspect of Rowan’s Primer of EEG, 3rd Edition? What chapter or topic covered in the new edition are you most excited about? 

We are most excited about Chapter 6, which is about how to read an intracranial EEG.  Intracranial EEG is used to localize the seizure onset zone prior to a therapeutic surgical intervention.  

Who will find the greatest value from Rowan’s Primer of EEG, 3rd Edition and why? Has the audience changed since the book was first published?

This book is for neurology residents, epilepsy fellows, epileptologists, critical care attendings, and any neurologist who sees patients with seizures or epilepsy.  Even for those who won’t personally read EEGs, this primer will make EEG reports more understandable.  And even seasoned epileptologists need a clear resource to look up hard-to-remember facts.  For example, Table 3-1 clearly outlines the changes in the neonatal EEG from 24 weeks post-menstrual age to 44 weeks post-menstrual age.  These can be difficult to remember.  

The very first edition focused on routine EEGs that were done for 30 minutes mostly in the outpatient setting. The indication and use of EEG have exploded since then, and this primer reflects that. For example, the current edition has a section on the use of quantitative EEG in the ICU, which will be of great use to critical care doctors and vascular neurologists.  

Lastly, the EEG is a helpful tool in understanding the epilepsy that people may suffer from.  The results of the EEG can inform medication choice and greatly aid in the diagnosis of epilepsy. We hope that people all over the world find this primer useful and are able to put this skill to use in helping improve the lives of people with epilepsy.  

What new ideas, practices, or procedures would you like to highlight for the new edition?  

We are very excited about surgical options for people with epilepsy and believe that at this moment in time, people are under-referred for evaluation.  We hope that our chapter on intracranial EEG (Chapter 6) will inspire readers to learn more about various possibilities for their patients.  

What problem do you hope the future generation of your specialty will be able to solve?  

We are enthused by the last decade and the emergence of new surgical and medical treatments for epilepsy.  Some innovative diagnostic tools and treatments are currently being tested (for example, implanting interneurons in the brain) and we are looking forward to the results.  We also hope that future generations can continue to work to decrease the stigma (both felt and enacted) that people with epilepsy experience.

Is there anything else about the book you’d like to say?  

Learning how to read an EEG can feel daunting – and this primer breaks down the information into clear and digestible chapters. It takes study, mentorship, and practice and the skill can be yours.  Understanding brain waves can improve the care you provide to your patients.    

About the Authors

We are Lara Marcuse, Madeline Fields, and Jiyeoun Yoo – epileptologists at the Mount Sinai Epilepsy Center.  We have all worked together for over 10 years, and this project is one of the fruits of our ongoing partnership and collaboration. 

Purchase your copy of Rowan’s Primer of EEG, 3rd Edition here!