Researcher | 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.
Researcher | 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.