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Dr. Jeffrey Cohen
New York, NY
Phone
Practice website
About
Bio
Director, Adult Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology, Beth Israel Medical Center
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Neurology
Languages spoken
English
Doctor Q&A
92 Answers
49 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Find cause: Mri may reveal structural cause for seizures. Eeg may show seizures or spikes (electrical abnormalities highly associated with the clinical occurrenc... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Several: Drugs with best success rates: Carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine. Next level: gabapentin, pregabalin. Another effective drug: baclofen. Further down ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Start somewhere 1st: Epileptic seizures that start on one side of the brain. Represents excessive abnormal electrical activity. May take different forms depending upon w... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Close follow up: Take as prescribed. Take lowest effective dose. Do not make changes without consulting md. Have blood work when suggested. If medication prescribe... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Checks drug in blood: Helps make sure there isn't too little or too much drug in blood. Note, levels are only guidelines- ultimately seizure control or side effects determ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Tests brain activity: A noninvasive, painless exam where electrodes are placed on scalp and electrical activity is recorded via computer. Patient usually sits in a chair, ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Possibly: It would depend upon a number of factors: are his seizures well controlled? Is he having side effects from his anti-seizure medication? What is the... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Several: Microvascular decompression is most effective. It is the only procedure that preserves the trigeminal nerve. Other destructive procedures (effective ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Yes: The first eeg is normal 50% of the time in someone with epilepsy. Three routine eegs result in a 90% sensitivity (finding abnormality consistent with... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
1 month: In reality, it depends upon the situation. Is the person taking Lamotrigine as mono or poly (add-on) therapy. Some people respond to low doses (50 -... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Brain Function: This test is usually performed as part of the workup for epilepsy surgery. It identifies location of language and which side(s) of the brain support ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Full body convulsion: Involves both arms/legs with loss of consciousness. Tonic phase is stiffness; clonic phase involves jerking of arms/legs. Associated with tongue bit... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Clinical Diagnosis: By an expert, based on the patient's history and description of pain. There are several types of tn; most typical is sharp, shooting, electrical stab... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 63-year-old female asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Yes: Lamictal is an fda approved drug for the treatment of seizures. It is effective against a variety of seizure types. However, neither Lamictal nor an... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Brief jerks: These are brief, jerks that can affect arms, legs and the torso. They can be unilateral or bilateral. They are associated with a characterstic chang... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Depends: Epilepsy surgery is an excellent option for those with uncontrolled (two different medication trials) partial epilepsy coming from a single area of th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Several: Lamictal is one of the best tolerated drugs for epilepsy. Most don't notice anything. However, rash, headache, dizziness, nausea and headache are al... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Yes: In general, there are no known interactions between these two medications.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old male asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Yes: This may be true. Some frontal lobe seizures may be diagnosed by video alone (when typical), even when the eeg does not show typical changes consiste... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Yes: Colonoscopy is an important medical condition that saves many lives. People with seizures who take anti seizure medicine can undergo colonoscopy. Ma... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old female asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Yes: More frequently, people may notice hair thinning, often in the shower. Usually it is cyclical- it often gets better even if you continue the medicati... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Multiple: Causes of epilepsy include: head trauma, brain infection, stroke, brain tumor, genetics, and brain hemorrhage. Causes of seizures may also include dr... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Yes: Not rare for seizure types to change over time. Medications may change the experience of seizures. Also age.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Probably not.: Let's assume you are taking it for seizures. The standard form of Keppra (levetiracetam) is taken twice a day. Doses vary, but the proper dose is th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
See a doctor: Important to see a physician. Bring a witness, if possible. Details of your event(s) are helpful. May be supplemented with testing: mri, eeg, lab w... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old female asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Multiple reasons: Epilepsy, a condition characterized by recurrent, unprovoked epileptic seizures, has multiple causes. These include: genetic, head trauma, certain br... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Get expert opinion: Please find out if this is truly a seizure and not something else that looks like a seizure. See you md. If no answer, then a neurologist. If still... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 62-year-old female asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Sometimes: Both may be used; each has a response rate about 50%. Other primary meds include Carbamazepine or oxcarbazepine, with a response rate of 70%. And, t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Possibly: Gamma knife surgery is actively being studied as an alternative choice to traditional epilepsy surgery. Deep brain stimulation of the thalamus has be... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
2 comments
A 25-year-old member asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
MVD: Highest rates of success reported for mvd. This is the only procedure where the goal is to protect the trigeminal nerve. Should be considered for an... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old member asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Depends: The reason for the surgery was to cure, if not improve, epilepsy. Success depends upon area of seizure onset and results of presurgical workup. Afte... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Yes: Taping the magnet directly over the stimulator will prevent it from working temporarily. When you remove it, it will restart. If you want it turned o... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 53-year-old member asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Many therapies: Have a work up (mri). Determine cause and severity. Start otc anti inflammatory. Exercise program/ physical therapy. Prescription anti inflammatory... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
A 25-year-old member asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Not commonly: However, there are a minority of instances where this can occur. Like the others who have answered this question, most cases are sporadic. For many ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Type of partial sz: Comes from frontal lobe. Several different types. Sometimes looks like a "fencing" posture. More common during sleep. Often difficult to control wit... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Captures brain waves: Scalp electrodes are placed on designated brain areas. They are connected to amplifiers and to computers, which records brain electrical activity, fo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Somewhat: It depends how severe. Good dental hygiene is key. Frequent brushing and dental floss, multiple times each day will help. If it is severe, then you... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Multiple: Medications: trihexyphenidyl, benztropine. If early onset- levodopa/carbidopa; tetrabenazpine.
Botox treatments.
Surgery: deep brain stimulation, le... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 62-year-old female asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Depends: It would depend upon general health. If the person is relatively young and healthy, then mvd has the best results (only procedure that preserves the ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 49-year-old male asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Several: It is important to determine what type of seizures you have. Although some anti seizure meds will handle multiple seizure types, some meds are better... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old female asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Yes: There are many causes of epilepsy, head trauma being one. Some other causes include: brain infection, genetics, stroke, and brain hemorrhage. Acute ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Convulsion a subtype: Most consider a convulsion to be a "grand mal" or generalized tonic clonic seizure (primary or secondary). A convulsion is one type of seizure. Some... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Unusual: Many anti-seizure medications are metabolized by the liver. As a result, some may cause liver damage. Fortunately, this is not a common occurrence. ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Brain storm: Group of conditions characterized by sudden bursts of abnormal electical activity of the brain. It may produce seizures that result in abnormal perc... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
For seizures: Some are at risk for epilepsy- major head trauma, stroke, brain infection, strong family history are risks. Some get warnings of seizure: funny smell... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old female asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Depends: Xl spike and xl events are computer generated markers on an eeg which may or may not represent epileptic spikes or seizures. Most of the time these a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old male asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Not necessarily: This question would require individual details to answer correctly. However, it is possible for someone to have a seizures from sudden withdrawal of ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old male asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
It depends: Depends upon where, how often, for how long, and what triggers it. You should have an evaluation by an md, including a thorough history and physical ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Headache plus: Common side effects include headache, fatigue, and stomach upset (nausea). These are often present in the beginning or after a dose change. The high... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Neurology 36 years experience
Sometimes: Bilateral tn in a young person should lead to a workup for multiple sclerosis.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
4
Recommendations
200
Thank you notes
Nov 9, 2013
Dr. Cohen is a conscientious and devoted doctor who has extensive experience in the treatment of epilepsy and trigeminal neuralgia.
Apr 25, 2014
I recommend Dr Cohen a specialist in Neurology
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Cohen is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
somewhat helpful Are they seizures? Is it will power or unconscious? Am I overreacting to an event or is it something beyond control
HealthTap member
Thanks for your quick reply! Taking tegretol with this medication, hopefully the decrease is good
HealthTap member
This saved my life. Thank You! This is the only answer here that makes sense. Thank you.
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
State University of New York Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine, NY
Graduated 1987MD
Residency
Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center
Awards
Top Neurologist , Second Place, New York - Summer
2013
Top Neurologist, Second Place, the Manhattan Region - Spring
2017
HealthTap Founding Doctor
Affiliations
American Academy of Neurology
American Epilepsy Society
American Clinical Neurophysiology Society
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