Leena Mohapatra, Ph.D., of Norton Children’s Neuroscience Institute, explains how neuropsychology improves outcomes for pediatric patients with epilepsy.

Published: September 25, 2025

Research shows that new pediatric epilepsy patients often lack access to pediatric neuropsychology services due to the limited availability of specialized providers. Leena Mohapatra, Ph.D., pediatric neuropsychologist at Norton Children’s Neuroscience Institute, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine, is dedicated to addressing this critical need, working primarily with children diagnosed with epilepsy or suspected of having it.

“Neuropsychology is an important pillar of multidisciplinary care for epilepsy patients, as our assessments can further inform treatment decisions and support long-term outcomes for young patients,” Dr. Mohapatra said.

Comprehensive assessment process

At Norton Children’s Neuroscience Institute, neuropsychology works closely with the care team to prioritize surgical candidates.

Dr. Mohapatra’s approach emphasizes collecting extensive background information from families, schools and teachers to establish a comprehensive baseline, including review of existing individualized education programs (also known as IEPs).

“Our thorough evaluations, which can span several hours, provide detailed insights that go well beyond what standard psychological assessments offer,” she said. “Our assessments focus on more nuanced thinking skills and cognitive processing that can be impacted by epilepsy.”

Follow-up schedules are tailored to individual patient needs: annually for patients experiencing regression, every two years for those requiring monitoring and every three years for stable patients. Even when electroencephalogram results remain unchanged, neuropsychological assessments become warranted if parents or teachers observe skill regression.

Enhanced referral patterns and provider recognition

According to Dr. Mohapatra, a collaborative approach allows providers to better understand how epilepsy may impact not only cognitive functions but also emotional and behavioral skills, helping to identify potential secondary conditions and provide patients with comprehensive support.

Patients receive comprehensive reports that include recommendations and guidance on accessing appropriate services. Enhanced support is provided for children facing important life transitions and milestones.

Presurgical evaluation and risk assessment

Health care providers are increasingly recognizing the value of neuropsychological consultation in epilepsy care. Dr. Mohapatra regularly participates in multidisciplinary, weekly epilepsy surgery conference.

For surgical candidates, neuropsychological evaluation plays an important role in identifying patterns of cognitive strengths and weaknesses to assess the impact of seizures on cognitive functions.

In addition to conducting neuropsychological assessments, neuropsychologists at Norton also administer functional MRI (fMRI) when appropriate. This imaging technique helps the care team better understand the brain’s motor and language regions, contributing to a broader picture of how surgery might affect a child’s functioning. As one of several strategies used to localize brain function, neuropsychology plays a key role in helping families and the surgical team weigh the potential benefits and risks of surgery.

Norton Children’s Neuroscience Institute’s commitment to providing specialized pediatric neuropsychology services for epilepsy patients addresses a significant gap in care and supports optimal outcomes for children and families navigating complex epilepsy management decisions.