Thomas  Foutz, MD, PhD

Thomas Foutz, MD, PhD

Instructor of Neurology
Washington University School of Medicine

Thomas Foutz, MD, PhD, is a board-certified child neurologist, with subspecialty training in epilepsy. his clinic is dedicated to advanced epilepsy care, with a focus on managing neurostimulation devices. He has received training in the use of Responsive Neural Stimulation (RNS), Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), and Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) devices.

His laboratory-based research focuses on developing advanced treatment methods for refractory epilepsy. He has used detailed computational models of neurons in simulated brain tissue to evaluate how electrical stimulation can alter brain signaling. His prior work inspired new methods for energy-efficient neural stimulation. His current research aims to understand the basic mechanisms by which neural stimulation reduces seizures. He uses preclinical, computational, and machine-learning models to investigate the physiologic mechanisms of neurostimulation, detect seizures, and optimize neurostimulation treatments. The ultimate goal of this work is to develop more effective therapies to improve the lives of people who have epilepsy.