Best Epilepsy Doctors in Istanbul

Prof. Ebru Altindag specializes in epilepsy diagnosis and neurophysiology at Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital.

• PhD thesis on juvenile myoclonic epilepsy – deeply researched the condition
• Over 1,100 epilepsy-related procedures performed in 28 years of practice
• Multiple award-winning research on seizure semiology and EEG findings
• Clinical Neurophysiology subspecialist with expertise in advanced diagnostic techniques
• Active member of Turkish Association for Combating Epilepsy

Prof. Dr. Yasef Özsarfati has over 41 years of experience in neurology, with a strong focus on epilepsy treatment at Florence Nightingale Hospital.

• Specialized in neurology at Istanbul University with additional training at Hacettepe University
• Worked abroad in the United States, focusing on neurology research
• Currently practices at Florence Nightingale Hospital, a leading neurological center
• Expert in both adult and pediatric epilepsy cases

Dr. Cahide Yilmaz is a pediatric neurologist at NP Istanbul Brain Hospital. She is dually certified in general pediatrics and pediatric neurology. Dr. Yilmaz focuses on brain health and developmental disorders in children. She works at Turkey’s first private neuropsychiatric hospital, which holds JCI accreditation.

• Served as Associate Professor of Pediatric Neurology at Mustafa Kemal University.
• Held a faculty role as Associate Professor at Yıldırım Beyazıt University.
• Treats neurological conditions using advanced monitoring and diagnostic tools.
• Provides care at Europe’s second-ranked brain hospital.

Dr. Akin Akakin is a neurosurgeon at NP Istanbul Brain Hospital. He specializes in lateral microsurgical approaches for lumbar disc surgery. He holds a Doctorate in Brain and Nerve Surgery Neuroanatomy from Florida University. Dr. Akakin also completed a fellowship at the same institution.

• Specializes in neurovascular surgery and complex cerebrovascular diseases.
• Treats brain aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, and pituitary adenomas.
• Performs deep brain stimulation (DBS) and anterior cervical discectomy.
• Works at NP Istanbul, the first JCI-certified private neuropsychiatric hospital in Turkey.

With over 25 years of clinical and academic experience, the doctor is a highly accomplished specialist in Orthopedics and Traumatology. Clinical expertise encompasses hand surgery, foot and ankle surgery, arthroplasty, orthopedic oncology, and trauma surgery. The doctor has held significant positions at various training and research hospitals, including serving as a founding specialist at the Hand Surgery Clinic of Baltalimanı Bone Diseases Training and Research Hospital.

The doctor has pursued international professional development, including an observership at Mount Sinai Hospital in Chicago. After being appointed Associate Professor in 2018, the doctor attained the rank of Professor in 2024 and currently practices as a specialist in Orthopedics and Traumatology.

Associate Professor of Neurology with over 25 years of experience, currently at VM Medical Park Pendik Hospital.

• Specialized in neurology with a focus on epilepsy and sleep disorders
• Trained in Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) application in Dubai
• Member of Turkish Neurology and Sleep Medicine Associations
• Recipient of the Publication Success Incentive Award from Düzce University

Dr. Bariş Ekici specializes in child neurology, with a focus on epilepsy and autism. His research includes dietary therapies for childhood epilepsy.

• Associate Professor since 2013
• Author of five books on autism
• Specialized in child neurology at Istanbul University
• Published studies on epilepsy in children with periventricular leukomalacia

29 years of experience in neurology and epilepsy – Dr. Altay trained at the University of Washington and Barnes-Jewish Center for Comprehensive Epilepsy.

• Specializes in epilepsy and seizure disorders
• Educated at top US institutions for neurology
• Works at Medipol Mega University Hospital

Associate Professor Nesrin Helvaci Yilmaz specializes in Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) for epilepsy, trained at UCL Queen Square Institute in London.

• 26 years of neurology experience with epilepsy patients
• Authored 80+ clinical reports and 30+ research studies
• Leads Medipol University's Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Unit
• Published studies on reflex epilepsies and seizure disorders

Prof. Dr. Sultan Tarlaci is an eminent neurologist with 26 years of experience, recognized for his contributions to neurosciences with several awards.

• Specializes in epilepsy and other neurological diseases
• Published in international peer-reviewed journals
• Authored and co-authored several books
• Trained at Ege University School of Medicine

Dr. Mehmet Tonge specializes in brain and nerve surgery, focusing on epilepsy treatment at Medipol Mega University Hospital.

• Expert in surgical interventions for epilepsy
• Works at a leading university hospital
• Dedicated to advanced neurological care

Prof. Dr. Melda Bozluolcay is a Neurology Specialist and Professor. She became Associate Professor in 2006 and Professor in 2015. She trained at Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa. Her medical education was from 1976 to 1983. She completed a Medicine–PhD program in 1986–1991. Her focus includes Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, cerebrovascular disease and stroke, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, EEG and neurophysiology, and sleep disorders.

Key papers include quantitative EEG in dementia (Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology, 2024). She studied TMS in dementia subtypes (Psychogeriatrics, 2023). She reported on neuroinflammatory markers in Alzheimer’s disease (Current Alzheimer Research, 2022). Earlier work appeared in Neuroscience Letters (2019), Geriatrics and Gerontology International (2016), and Neurology India (2003).

Projects include hOGG1 polymorphism and oxidative DNA damage in Alzheimer’s disease (2017–2016; supported by a higher-education grant). She studied antithrombotic prophylaxis after acute stroke (2004). She evaluated piracetam in acute stroke (1998). She is a member of the Alzheimer’s, Epilepsy, Turkish Neurology, Cerebrovascular Diseases, and Neurodegenerative Diseases associations.

Prof. Dr. Hakan Levent Gül is a neurologist. He graduated from the Trakya University Faculty of Medicine in 1998. He completed his neurology residency at Dr. Lütfi Kırdar Kartal Training and Research Hospital. He later became an associate professor and then a professor. He also holds a second undergraduate degree in Healthcare Management.

He has worked as a neurologist and senior attending physician in public and private institutions. His expertise includes headache and dizziness, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, movement disorders, stroke, and sleep disorders. He provides neurological care at Moodist Hospital.

Dr. Sema Targıt Akbaşak is a neurology and electrophysiology specialist at Neolife Medical Center (Etiler). She has worked in neurology since 1983. Her focus includes EEG, headaches, Parkinson’s and other movement disorders, cognitive disorders and dementia, and cerebrovascular disease.

Career highlights include serving as EEG Supervisor at Haseki Training and Research Hospital (1989–1993). She led the EEG Laboratory and the Headache, Parkinson’s, and Dementia units at Haydarpaşa Numune Hospital (1993–1997). She later worked as a Neurology and Electrophysiology Specialist at Balat Or-Ahayim Hospital (2013–2019).

Education: Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine. Neurology training at Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa (1983–1989). Memberships: Turkish Medical Association, Parkinson's Association, EEG-EMG Association, Brain Research Association, and Cerebrovascular Diseases Association.

Assoc. Prof. Buse Cagla Ari specializes in epilepsy at Medipol University's Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Center (PARMER), combining clinical expertise with academic research.

• Neurology residency at Erenkoy Mental Health and Nervous Disorders Research Hospital
• Member of Turkish Neurological Society and International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society
• Published multiple research papers on neurological disorders including epilepsy
• Special interest in EEG and polysomnography for epilepsy diagnosis

Tahsin Ali Zirh trained at prestigious institutions like Johns Hopkins and Toronto Western Hospital, specializing in neurosurgery for epilepsy.

• Over 36 years of experience in neurosurgery
• Specializes in Parkinson's and movement disorders at Medipol University
• Fellow at Division of Neurosurgery, Toronto Western Hospital
• Member of The European Association of Neurosurgical Societies

Dr. Mustafa Kilic specializes in neuromodulation treatments for epilepsy, including Vagus Nerve Stimulation. His research and teaching at Istinye University keep him at the forefront of neurosurgical advancements.

• Specializes in Deep Brain Stimulation and Vagus Nerve Stimulation
• Member of the Turkish Neurosurgical Society
• Trained at İstanbul Şişli Etfal Research and Training Hospital
• Focuses on both surgical and non-surgical treatments for neurological conditions

Specializes in child neurology with a focus on epilepsy and resistant cases. Dr. Gultekin brings extensive training and hands-on experience to every consultation.

• Subspecialized in child neurology at Medipol University
• Member of the Child Neurology Association of Turkey
• Expert in treating resistant epilepsy in children
• Faculty member at Istinye University Hospital