Telehealth Precision Genetic Counseling for Epilepsy and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
UTHealth Houston offers virtual genetic counseling appointments to help patients and their families understand their genetic diagnosis and genetic testing results.
Telehealth Precision Genetic Counseling for Epilepsy and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
UTHealth Houston offers virtual genetic counseling appointments to help patients and their families understand their genetic diagnosis and genetic testing results.
Telehealth Precision Genetic Counseling for Epilepsy and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
What You Can Expect
Utilizing telehealth technology, our program provides genetic counseling consultations for children and adults with genetic epilepsies and/or neurodevelopmental disorders. These consultations typically last about one hour.
Before Your Appointment
Our team of experts will review your genetic test results to ensure that the information on genetic variants (changes) is as complete and up to date as possible. We use the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines for variant classification (Richards et al. 2015) and subsequent updates to guide this review. This step applies to all variants, including those classified as pathogenic, likely pathogenic, or uncertain. Sometimes, this review may indicate a change in how a variant is classified compared to the original report. If that happens, we’ll discuss the updated information with you during your appointment. This may also result in follow-up with the testing laboratory or a recommendation for additional genetic testing.
During Your Appointment
Our certified genetic counselors will give you a detailed and up-to-date explanation about the genetic disorder. We have access to large databases that include information from hundreds of people with genetic epilepsies and neurodevelopmental disorders. This helps us provide valuable insight into how these conditions may progress. We will also discuss management options, such as referrals to specialists and precision medicine options, based on current literature. However, any decisions regarding medication and treatment will be determined by your local providers. Additionally, we will connect you with helpful resources, such as research opportunities and support organizations, to assist you and your family.
After Your Appointment
You will receive a comprehensive clinical note summarizing your appointment. It will include detailed information about the genetic disorder and your specific genetic variant, along with relevant research findings and care recommendations. This document can be used to educate your local providers and support access to specialized care.
Some of Our Program Highlights
- Flexible and convenient telehealth appointments available from the comfort of your home using the MyUTHealth Houston patient portal
- Comprehensive genetic variant assessments to ensure accurate diagnoses
- Caring genetic counselors to help you navigate the complexities of genetic epilepsies and neurodevelopmental disorders
- Specialized expertise in a range of genes associated with epileptic and neurodevelopmental disorders
Clinic Eligibility
The genetic counseling team can provide services for individuals with variants in the following genes: SCN1A, SCN2A, SCN3A, SCN8A, CACNA1A, DEPDC5, NPRL2, NPRL3, GRIN1, GRIN2A, GRIN2B, GRIN2D, SLC6A1, and chromosome 8p-related disorders.
Note that this list may be updated to include more genes.
States We Serve
While based in Texas, our genetic counseling team is licensed to offer virtual consultations to patients physically located in any of the states shaded in orange in the map, and we’re continually expanding. If your state is not listed and you’re interested in scheduling a consultation, please reach out via the contact us form on this page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to request an appointment?
Please fill out the contact us form on this website. Once you have submitted this form, our genetic counseling team will review the request within the next few days to determine eligibility for the clinic. If the patient is eligible, a member of our team will contact you to gather relevant medical records and discuss the next steps.
For urgent issues, contact your physician. In case of emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
What is the cost of a consultation?
Our insurance verification team will perform a benefits verification process to determine whether your health plan covers genetic counseling. If approved, your insurance will be billed, and you will pay the amount determined by your plan. Our team will inform you if your insurance plan does not cover genetic counseling, and you can decide if you want to proceed with the self-pay route. The average self-pay rate is $204 per visit, but the cost may vary. Payment in full is expected at the time of your visit.
Other questions?
If your question is not answered here, please reach out to us using the contact us form below.
Director of the Center for Neurogenetics
Dennis Lal, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Neurology
Clinical Team
Émile Moura, MS, CGC
Genetic Counselor
Center for Neurogenetics, Department of Neurology
Althea Smith, MS, GC
Genetic Counselor
Center for Neurogenetics, Department of Neurology
Anu Cherukara
Research Assistant I
Alison Merket
Research Assistant I
Olga Rodziyevska, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Scientific Team
Ludovica Montanucci, PhD
Assistant Professor
Costin Leu, PhD
Assistant Professor
Tobias Brünger, PhD
Data Scientist I
Gary Taylor
Software Developer
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