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Related Research Units

Neurology Research

Research Overview

My research interests are in Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) and epilepsy during the first two years of life considering all aspects of the heterogeneous conditions. My mission is to improve the understanding of the multitude of etiologies and the possible mechanisms of seizure, diagnostic assessment, treatment and prognosis. I have had a chance to work in the comprehensive SWS clinic in the neurology department at Boston Children's Hospital. Brain involvement is commonly seen and seizures are the most common neurological symptom manifested in SWS patients. However, the pathophysiologic process involving the epileptogenesis in this syndrome is not fully explained. Seizures often occur during first year of life and they can be drug resistant. Studies have shown that duration of epilepsy impact quality of life and neurodevelopment of this group of patients. Hopefully we can promote improvement on those aspects in the life of patients with SWS.

 

Research Background

Dr. Pinto received her Medical Degree from Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She then went on to complete her PhD in Neurology at the University of Sao Paulo School of Medicine in Sao Paulo, Brazil. In addition, Dr. Pinto completed her epilepsy and neurophysiology fellowship, neurology residency program, and neurogenetics fellowship at Children's Hospital Boston in Boston, MA. Her clinical interests include pediatric epilepsy, developmental disorders and Sturge-Weber Syndrome.

 

Education

Medical School

Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro
1990 Rico de Janeiro Brazil

Internship

Pediatrics Massachusetts General Hospital for Children
2013 Boston MA

Residency

Child Neurology Boston Children's Hospital
2012 Boston MA

Fellowship

Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology Boston Children's Hospital
2008 Boston MA

Media

Answers Blog

Can we prevent seizures in Sturge-Weber syndrome?

Publications

  1. Ketogenic diet therapy for epilepsy: Clinical pearls. Epilepsy Behav. 2024 Dec; 161:110091. View Abstract
  2. Quantitative Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Mapping May Predict Seizure Onset in Children With Sturge-Weber Syndrome. Pediatr Neurol. 2018 07; 84:32-38. View Abstract
  3. Sturge-Weber Syndrome: Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Neuropathology Findings. Pediatr Neurol. 2016 05; 58:25-30. View Abstract
  4. Localization of sleep spindles, k-complexes, and vertex waves with subdural electrodes in children. J Clin Neurophysiol. 2014 Aug; 31(4):367-74. View Abstract
  5. Surgery for intractable epilepsy due to unilateral brain disease: a retrospective study comparing hemispherectomy techniques. Pediatr Neurol. 2014 Sep; 51(3):336-43. View Abstract
  6. The stability of spike counts in children with interictal epileptiform activity. Seizure. 2014 Jun; 23(6):454-6. View Abstract
  7. Teaching NeuroImages: mesial temporal sclerosis after a prolonged unprovoked seizure in an infant. Neurology. 2011 Nov 08; 77(19):e112-3. View Abstract

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