Blanca Talavera De la Esperanza, MD

About

Biography

I am an assistant professor in the Department of Neurology at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. My research focuses on understanding the mechanisms underlying epilepsy and movement disorders and translating advances in neuroscience into better diagnosis and treatment for patients.

My research career has evolved across several areas of neurology, including COVID-19, headache disorders, and stroke. My more recent work has focused primarily on epilepsy, particularly sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), ictal central apnea and the neural and cardiorespiratory mechanisms underlying these conditions. During my research and intracranial EEG training at the University of Texas, I investigated seizure-related respiratory changes and the brain networks involved in respiratory modulation. This work has included studying the neuroanatomical correlates of ictal central apnea and using intracranial recordings and neuromodulation to better understand the relationship between seizures, brain networks, and respiration.

My movement disorders research focuses on Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, and rare genetic movement disorders, with an interest in understanding the clinical manifestations and underlying mechanisms of these conditions. My work has included research and case reports involving genetic movement disorders, dystonia, myotonia, Parkinson’s disease, and other complex movement disorders.

My research experience includes case studies, qualitative research, observational and multicenter studies, and clinical trials. I have collaborated on research spanning epilepsy, stroke, headache, movement disorders, and neurological complications of COVID-19. My work has resulted in publications in peer-reviewed journals including The Lancet, Annals of Neurology, Neurology, Movement Disorders Clinical Practice, Epilepsia, Stroke, and Epilepsy Research.

Credentials

Research