Jacob Pellinen, MD

Professional Titles

• Director of Quality Improvement
• Co-Director of Continuous EEG (CEEG)

Recognitions

• Clinical Research LRP, National Institutes of Health - NINDS (2019)
  This is a 2-year LRP award for a project entitled "Consequences of diagnostic delay in patients with new onset focal epilepsy"
• Excellence in Research Award, New York University Department of Neurology (2018)
• Stroke Speedster Award, New York University Department of Neurology (2016)

Research Interests

• Identifying ways of improving time-to-diagnosis and treatment of patients with new-onset epilepsy to reduce potentially preventable morbidity and mortality. • Assessing the impact of first-time seizures, seizure frequency, and medications on quality of life for people with epilepsy and finding ways of improving outcomes utilizing quality improvement methodology. • Improving the treatment of people with epilepsy through medications and devices. • Quality improvement and learning healthcare system development in epilepsy.

Publications

• Donahue MA, Akram H, Brooks JD, Modi AC, Veach J, Kukla A, Benard SW, Herman ST, Farrell K, Ficker DM, Zafar SF, Trescher WH, Sirsi D, Phillips DJ, Pellinen J, Buchhalter J, Moura L, Fureman BE. Barriers to Medication Adherence in People Living With Epilepsy. Neurol Clin Pract. 2025 Feb;15(1):e200403. PubMed PMID: 39610394
• Snyder E, Sillau S, Knupp KG, French J, Khanna A, Birlea M, Nair K, Pellinen J. Testing the diagnostic accuracy of common questions for seizure diagnosis: Challenges and future directions. Epilepsy Behav. 2024 Feb 23;153:109686. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 38401417
• Pellinen J, Foster EC, Wilmshurst JM, Zuberi SM, French J. Improving epilepsy diagnosis across the lifespan: approaches and innovations. Lancet Neurol. 2024 May;23(5):511-521. PubMed PMID: 38631767
• Jandhyala N, Ferrer M, Pellinen J, Greenwood HT, Dlugos DJ, Park KL, Thio LL, French J. Unrecognized Focal Nonmotor Seizures in Adolescents Presenting to Emergency Departments. Neurology. 2024 May;102(10):e209389. PubMed PMID: 38691824
• Miller KR, Barnard S, Juarez-Colunga E, French JA, Pellinen J. Long-term seizure diary tracking habits in clinical studies: Evidence from the Human Epilepsy Project. Epilepsy Res. 2024 May 8;203:107379. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 38754255
• Parekh P, Wheless H, Freglette C, French J, Morrison C, Pellinen J. Learning difficulties often not documented in newly diagnosed focal epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav. 2024 May 16;156:109837. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 38759428
• Pellinen J, Sillau S, Morrison C, Maruff P, O'Brien TJ, Penovich P, French J, Knupp KG, Meador KJ. Engagement in online cognitive testing with the Cogstate brief battery among a multinational cohort of people with focal epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav. 2024 Aug 8;159:109953. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 39121756
• Laxer KD, Elder CJ, Di Gennaro G, Ferrari L, Krauss GL, Pellinen J, Rosenfeld WE, Villanueva V. Presurgical Use of Cenobamate for Adult and Pediatric Patients Referred for Epilepsy Surgery: Expert Panel Recommendations. Neurol Ther. 2024 Aug 18. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 39154302
• Laxer KD, Elder CJ, Di Gennaro G, Ferrari L, Krauss GL, Pellinen J, Rosenfeld WE, Villanueva V. Presurgical Use of Cenobamate for Adult and Pediatric Patients Referred for Epilepsy Surgery: Expert Panel Recommendations. Neurol Ther. 2024 Oct;13(5):1337-1348. PubMed PMID: 39154302
• Pellinen J, Sillau S, Morrison C, Maruff P, O'Brien TJ, Penovich P, French J, Knupp KG, Meador KJ. Engagement in online cognitive testing with the Cogstate brief battery among a multinational cohort of people with focal epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav. 2024 Oct;159:109953. PubMed PMID: 39121756
• Parekh P, Wheless H, Freglette C, French J, Morrison C, Pellinen J. Learning difficulties often not documented in newly diagnosed focal epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav. 2024 Jul;156:109837. PubMed PMID: 38759428
• Miller KR, Barnard S, Juarez-Colunga E, French JA, Pellinen J. Long-term seizure diary tracking habits in clinical studies: Evidence from the Human Epilepsy Project. Epilepsy Res. 2024 Jul;203:107379. PubMed PMID: 38754255
• Jandhyala N, Ferrer M, Pellinen J, Greenwood HT, Dlugos DJ, Park KL, Thio LL, French J. Unrecognized Focal Nonmotor Seizures in Adolescents Presenting to Emergency Departments. Neurology. 2024 May;102(10):e209389. PubMed PMID: 38691824
• Pellinen J, Foster EC, Wilmshurst JM, Zuberi SM, French J. Improving epilepsy diagnosis across the lifespan: approaches and innovations. Lancet Neurol. 2024 May;23(5):511-521. PubMed PMID: 38631767
• Snyder E, Sillau S, Knupp KG, French J, Khanna A, Birlea M, Nair K, Pellinen J. Testing the diagnostic accuracy of common questions for seizure diagnosis: Challenges and future directions. Epilepsy Behav. 2024 Apr;153:109686. PubMed PMID: 38401417
• Nuthalapati P, Thomas L, Donahue MA, Moura LMVR, DeStefano S, Simpson JR, Buchhalter J, Fureman BE, Pellinen J. Improving Seizure Frequency Documentation and Classification. Neurol Clin Pract. 2023 Dec;13(6):e200212. PubMed PMID: 37873534
• Pellinen J, Pardoe H, Sillau S, Barnard S, French J, Knowlton R, Lowenstein D, Cascino GD, Glynn S, Jackson G, Szaflarski J, Morrison C, Meador KJ, Kuzniecky R. Later onset focal epilepsy with roots in childhood: Evidence from early learning difficulty and brain volumes in the Human Epilepsy Project. Epilepsia. 2023 Oct;64(10):2761-2770. PubMed PMID: 37517050
• Bases B, Barnard S, French JA, Pellinen J. Impact of Seizures While Driving Prior to Diagnosis in People With Focal Epilepsy: Motor Vehicle Accidents and Time to Diagnosis. Neurology. 2023 Sep 26;101(13):e1370-e1375. PubMed PMID: 37286361
• Nuthalapati P, Thomas L, Donahue MA, Moura LMVR, DeStefano S, Simpson JR, Buchhalter J, Fureman BE, Pellinen J. Improving Seizure Frequency Documentation and Classification. Neurol Clin Pract. 2023 Dec;13(6):e200212. PubMed PMID: 37873534
• Nuthalapati P, Thomas L, Donahue MA, Moura LMVR, DeStefano S, Simpson JR, Buchhalter J, Fureman BE, Pellinen J. Improving Seizure Frequency Documentation and Classification. Neurol Clin Pract. 2023 Dec;13(6):e200212. PubMed PMID: 37873534
• Pellinen J, Pardoe H, Sillau S, Barnard S, French J, Knowlton R, Lowenstein D, Cascino GD, Glynn S, Jackson G, Szaflarski J, Morrison C, Meador KJ, Kuzniecky R. Later onset focal epilepsy with roots in childhood: Evidence from early learning difficulty and brain volumes in the Human Epilepsy Project. Epilepsia. 2023 Oct;64(10):2761-2770. PubMed PMID: 37517050
• Bases B, Barnard S, French JA, Pellinen J. Impact of Seizures While Driving Prior to Diagnosis in People With Focal Epilepsy: Motor Vehicle Accidents and Time to Diagnosis. Neurology. 2023 Sep 26;101(13):e1370-e1375. PubMed PMID: 37286361
• Bases B, Barnard S, French JA, Pellinen J. Impact of Seizures While Driving Prior to Diagnosis in People With Focal Epilepsy: Motor Vehicle Accidents and Time to Diagnosis. Neurology. 2023 Jun 7. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 37286361
• Pellinen J, Pardoe H, Sillau S, Barnard S, French J, Knowlton R, Lowenstein D, Cascino GD, Glynn S, Jackson G, Szaflarski J, Morrison C, Meador KJ, Kuzniecky R. Later Onset Focal Epilepsy with Roots in Childhood: Evidence from Early Learning Difficulty and Brain Volumes in the Human Epilepsy Project. Epilepsia. 2023 Jul 30. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 37517050
• Pellinen J, Holmes MG. Evaluation and Treatment of Seizures and Epilepsy During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2022 Jan 26. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 35080752
• DeStefano S, Pellinen J, Sillau S, Buchhalter J. Standardization of seizure response times and data collection in an epilepsy monitoring unit. Epilepsy Res. 2022 Feb;180:106869. PubMed PMID: 35101657
• Pellinen J, Snyder E, Knupp KG. The language of seizure identification: A qualitative investigation. Epilepsy Behav. 2022 Jan;126:108484. PubMed PMID: 34915429
• Foster E, Chen Z, Vaughan DN, Tailby C, Carney PW, D'Souza W, Au Yong HM, Nicolo JP, Pellinen J, Carrillo de Albornoz S, Liew D, O'Brien TJ, Kwan P, Ademi Z. Prospective multisite cohort study of patient-reported outcomes in adults with new-onset seizures. Epilepsia Open. 2022 Mar;7(1):201-209. PubMed PMID: 34913272
• Pellinen J. Treatment gaps in epilepsy. Front Epidemiol 2022;0:25. https://doi.org/10.3389/FEPID.2022.976039.
• Pellinen J, Chong DJ, Elder C, Guinnessey P, Wallach AI, Devinsky O, Friedman D. The impact of medications and medical comorbidities on sexual function in people with epilepsy. Epilepsy Res. 2021 May;172:106596. PubMed PMID: 33711710
• Pellinen J, French J, Knupp KG. Diagnostic Delay in Epilepsy: the Scope of the Problem. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2021 Nov 24;21(12):71. PubMed PMID: 34817723
• Foster E, Chen Z, Vaughan DN, Tailby C, Carney PW, D'Souza W, Au Yong HM, Nicolo JP, Pellinen J, Carrillo de Albornoz S, Liew D, O'Brien TJ, Kwan P, Ademi Z. Prospective multisite cohort study of patient reported outcomes in adults with new-onset seizures. Epilepsia Open. 2021 Dec 16. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 34913272
• Pellinen J, Snyder E, Knupp KG. The language of seizure identification: A qualitative investigation. Epilepsy Behav. 2021 Dec 13;126:108484. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 34915429
• Pellinen J, Tafuro E, Baehr A, Barnard S, Holmes M, French J. The Impact of Clinical Seizure Characteristics on Recognition and Treatment of New-onset Focal Epilepsy in Emergency Departments. Acad Emerg Med. 2021 Apr;28(4):412-420. PubMed PMID: 32810323
• Pellinen J, Tafuro E, Baehr A, Barnard S, Holmes M, French J. The Impact of Clinical Seizure Characteristics on Recognition and Treatment of New-onset Focal Epilepsy in Emergency Departments. Acad Emerg Med. 2020 Aug 18. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 32810323
• Pellinen J, Tafuro E, Yang A, Price D, Friedman D, Holmes M, Barnard S, Detyniecki K, Hegde M, Hixson J, Haut S, Kälviäinen R, French J. Focal nonmotor versus motor seizures: The impact on diagnostic delay in focal epilepsy. Epilepsia. 2020 Dec;61(12):2643-2652. PubMed PMID: 33078409
• Pellinen J, Kuzniecky R, Doyle W, Devinsky O, Dugan P. MRI-negative PET-negative epilepsy long-term surgical outcomes: A single-institution retrospective review. Epilepsy Res. 2020 Nov;167:106481. PubMed PMID: 33039796
• Pellinen J, Carroll E, Friedman D, Boffa M, Dugan P, Friedman DE, Gazzola D, Jongeling A, Rodriguez AJ, Holmes M. Continuous EEG findings in patients with COVID-19 infection admitted to a New York academic hospital system. Epilepsia. 2020 Oct;61(10):2097-2105. PubMed PMID: 32875578
• Chin JH, Musubire AK, Morgan N, Pellinen J, Grossman S, Bhatt JM, Wadda V, Ssengooba W. Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra for Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Cerebrospinal Fluid. J Clin Microbiol. 2019 Jun;57(6). PubMed PMID: 30944199
• Chin JH, Ssengooba W, Grossman S, Pellinen J, Wadda V. Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra: Optimal procedures for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in cerebrospinal fluid. J Clin Tuberc Other Mycobact Dis. 2019 Feb;14:16-18. PubMed PMID: 31720413
• Pellinen J, Hasan H, Ortiz N, Bluvstein J, Miles D. Reflex micturition defecation epilepsy in Angelman syndrome. Neurol Clin Pract. 2019 Dec;9(6):510-512. PubMed PMID: 32042494
• Pellinen J, Cheng CK, Rodriguez AJ. Airway Pressure Compliance in Patients with Epilepsy and Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Int J Neurol Neurother. 2019;6:087.
• Lin J, Pellinen JC, Galetta SL. Subacute Progressive Ptosis, Ophthalmoplegia, Gait Instability, and Cognitive Changes. JAMA Neurol. 2018 Oct 1;75(10):1284-1285. PubMed PMID: 29946691
• Pellinen J, Lloyd-Smith A, Su S, Pleninger P. A case of cervical radiculopathy due to tuberculosis cervical lymphadenitis. Neurol Clin Pract. 2017 Oct;7(5):415-417. PubMed PMID: 29620071
• Nwabuobi LA, Pellinen JC, Wisniewski TM. Thymoma-associated panencephalitis: a newly emerging paraneoplastic neurologic syndrome. Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2017;4:117-123. PubMed PMID: 29479559
• Rumore MM, Su S, Pellinen J. Cyclophosphamide for suspected primary angiitis of the central nervous system in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus: A case report. International Journal of Case Reports and Images; 2016:644-652.
• Pellinen J, Wang H, Eckel RH. Mice with altered brain lipoprotein metabolism display maladaptive responses to environmental challenges that may predispose to weight gain. Metab Syndr Relat Disord. 2014 Aug;12(6):339-46. PubMed PMID: 24730656
• Esposito M, Pellinen J, Kapás L, Szentirmai É. Impaired wake-promoting mechanisms in ghrelin receptor-deficient mice. Eur J Neurosci. 2012 Jan;35(2):233-43. PubMed PMID: 22211783
• Pellinen J, Szentirmai É. The effects of C75, an inhibitor of fatty acid synthase, on sleep and metabolism in mice. PLoS One. 2012;7(2):e30651. PubMed PMID: 22348016

Professional Memberships

• American Epilepsy Society, Member
• American Academy of Neurology, Member
• American Neurological Association, Member

Practice Locations

UCHealth Neurosciences Center - Anschutz Medical Campus
1635 Aurora Ct
4th Floor
Aurora, CO 80045
720-848-2080

UCHealth Anschutz Outpatient Pavilion - Anschutz Medical Campus
1635 Aurora Ct
Aurora, CO 80045
720-848-0000

UCHealth Anschutz Inpatient Pavilion 2 - Anschutz Medical Campus
12505 E. 16th Ave
Aurora, CO 80045
720-848-0000

UCHealth Lone Tree Medical Center
9548 Park Meadows Drive
Lone Tree, CO 80124
720-848-2200

Hospital Affiliation

• University of Colorado Hospital
• UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital

Specialty Information

Specialties

• Neurology, Board Certification (2018)
• Epilepsy, Board Certification (2020)

Conditions & Treatments

• Brain and Nervous System
• Brain and Nervous System - Epilepsy