James Tao, MD, PhD specializes in the diagnosis and management of seizures and epilepsy. He is the director of adult epilepsy center and the clinical neurophysiology Laboratory at the University of Chicago. Dr. Tao is highly skilled in the use of surgery and neurostimulation devices for treating patients with medically resistant epilepsy, with a particular interest in the minimally invasive surgery such as laser surgery.
His clinical research focuses on the use of electrophysiology and different types of neuroimaging to localize the seizure focus and guide epilepsy surgery. Dr. Tao is also interested in the mechanism and prevention of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), which is the leading cause of mortality in patients with chronic uncontrolled epilepsy. Dr. Tao is well-published in peer-reviewed journals, such as JAMA, Neurology, Epilepsia, Neuron, Neurosurgery, J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry, Seizure, and Epilepsy & Behavior.
Dr. Tao is also involved in the education of medical students, residents and fellows. He is the director of clinical neurophysiology fellowship program. Dr. Tao has given many lectures during didactic teaching and grand rounds, as well as an invited lecturer nationally and internationally.
Specialties
Areas of Expertise
- EEG
- Epilepsy
- Cerebral Cavernous Malformation (CCM)
- Clinical Neurophysiology
- Seizures
Board Certifications
- Epilepsy
- Neurology
Memberships & Medical Societies
- American Academy of Neurology
- American Epilepsy Society
- American Clinical Neurophysiology Society
Practicing Since
- 2002
Languages Spoken
- English
- Mandarin Chinese
Medical Education
- University of Cincinnati College of Medicine; Capital Medical University; Wannan Medical College
Internship
- University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System; University of Illinois Hospital
Residency
- University of Chicago Medicine; Capital Institute of Medicine; University of Chicago Medical Center
Fellowship
- University of Chicago Medicine
Other Grad Education
- University of Cincinnati,PhD
News & Research
View Published Papers- Aetna HMO (specialists only)
- Aetna POS
- Aetna PPO
- BCBS Blue Precision HMO (specialists only)
- BCBS HMO (HMOI) (specialists only)
- BCBS PPO
- Cigna HMO
- Cigna POS
- Cigna PPO
- CountyCare *see insurance page
- Aetna Better Health *see insurance page
- Medicare
- Multiplan PPO
- PHCS PPO
- United Choice Plus POS/PPO
- United Options (PPO)
- United Select (HMO & EPO) (specialists only)
- United W500 Emergent Wrap
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO
- BCBS Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO
- Humana Medicare Advantage Choice PPO
- Humana Medicare Advantage Gold Choice PFFS
- Humana Medicare Advantage Gold Plus HMO
- United Choice HMO (specialists only)
- University of Chicago Health Plan (UCHP)
Our list of accepted insurance providers is subject to change at any time. You should contact your insurance company to confirm UChicago Medicine participates in their network before scheduling your appointment. If your insurance company is not listed here, or if you have any other questions, please contact Managed.Care@uchospitals.edu.