Brian Leonard Appavu, MD

Brian Appavu, MD, is a board-certified neurologist with comprehensive expertise in epilepsy, neurocritical care and disorders of consciousness. He holds multiple board certifications, including epilepsy, clinical neurophysiology, neurocritical care, neurosonology and neonatal neurocritical care.  

Dr. Appavu provides advanced care for complex neurological conditions such as epilepsy, acute brain injury, coma recovery and disorders of consciousness. His treatment approaches include epilepsy surgery planning, vagal nerve stimulation, responsive neurostimulation and ketogenic diet therapy. He also specializes in evaluating disorders of consciousness and prognosticating outcomes after brain injury. 

His approach to care centers on the understanding that the brain and nervous system form the foundation of human identity, emotion and agency. Dr. Appavu views neurologic illness as deeply significant because it can threaten a person’s ability to experience and express themselves. He strives to restore function, independence and a sense of self through medication, diet, rehabilitation or advanced surgical options. 

Drawing from the Latin origin of “doctor,” meaning “to teach,” Dr. Appavu ensures patients understand their options, risks, benefits and emerging possibilities through research and clinical trials. He approaches every patient first as a human being — listening to their story, learning their values and empowering them through education and shared decision-making. 

Outside of medicine, Dr. Appavu has a lifelong passion for jazz drumming, which taught him lessons in teamwork and humility as the rhythm keeper behind the music. He enjoys hiking, writing about philosophy, reading and spending time with his wife, four children, three dogs and four cats.