Jay Salpekar

Dr. Jay Salpekar serves as Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Neurology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Medical Director of the Neuropsychiatry in Epilepsy Program at Kennedy Krieger Institute. His clinical and research career spans two decades focused on the intersection of pediatric epilepsy and neuropsychiatric disorders.

Dr. Salpekar earned his A.B. and M.D. from Washington University in St. Louis, completed general psychiatry training at Barnes Hospital, and specialized in child psychiatry through fellowship at Yale University Child Study Center.

His research centers on psychiatric comorbidities in pediatric epilepsy, with particular expertise in depression, ADHD, and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures. He investigates how seizure localization influences neuropsychiatric symptoms and develops integrated treatment approaches that address both neurological and psychiatric components.

Recent publications reveal consistent focus on comorbidity mechanisms and treatment optimization, with emphasis on developmental aspects of epilepsy-related psychiatric conditions. His work bridges clinical neurology and psychiatry to improve outcomes for complex pediatric cases.

Dr. Salpekar's professional honors include:

• Fellow of the American Neuropsychiatric Association
• Fellow of the American Epilepsy Society

As an academic physician, he maintains active clinical responsibilities while leading research collaborations across international epilepsy centers. His mentorship extends to psychiatry and neurology trainees through Johns Hopkins' academic programs.

The Neuropsychiatry in Epilepsy Program he directs functions as a multidisciplinary hub where neurologists, psychiatrists, and neuropsychologists collaborate to address the complex biopsychosocial needs of children with epilepsy, setting national standards for integrated neuropsychiatric care in epilepsy management.