Comprehensive Epilepsy Center

Our Center

Epilepsy and seizures affect more than three million Americans of all ages, with about 200,000 new cases diagnosed each year. It is important to know that:

• Properly diagnosed and treated, most people with epilepsy can expect to get their seizures under control.

• Patients who have persistent, recurrent seizures or those with an unconfirmed seizure diagnosis may benefit from the advanced diagnostic and treatment services of a comprehensive epilepsy center.

A seizure or epilepsy?

Seizures happen when your nerve cells fire more rapidly and with less control than usual, affecting how you feel or act. These range from "absence seizures" involving a brief lapse of conscious activity to "complex, partial seizures" where one is unaware and unresponsive, to seizures where there is a full loss of consciousness with the potential for falling, shaking, and difficulty breathing. Epilepsy refers to a brain disorder resulting in multiple seizures.

Seizures are not always related to epilepsy. Seizures can be a symptom of a disruption of brain function, such as from a high fever, a head injury, or lack of oxygen. Ten percent of Americans will experience a seizure at least once in their lifetime, with the highest incidence occurring under the age of two and over the age of 65.

What causes epilepsy?

Epilepsy may be related to genetic factors or structural abnormalities of the brain or brain metabolism, and can begin in infancy and childhood. Epilepsy can also be acquired (become symptomatic) during the course of one's life due to infection of the brain, trauma, tumors, or stroke. When no cause is found, the term "idiopathic" is used--that may mean one has to look harder for a proper diagnosis.

Diagnosing & Treating Epilepsy

Epilepsy may be diagnosed through a detailed medical history and electroencephalogram (EEG) video monitoring to record brain wave patterns during and between seizures. Imaging scans (i.e., MRI) of the brain and blood tests are performed to help rule out other potential causes of seizures, such as a brain tumor or other disease.

For a majority of patients, antiepilepsy drugs are helpful, with the goal of controlling the seizures while minimizing medication side effects. Three new anti-epilepsy drugs, Banzel®, Sabril®, and Vimpat®, are now available for specific types of epilepsy.

For some patients, surgery may be an option. In particular, epilepsy surgery may benefit patients whose seizures are associated with structural brain abnormalities, such as brain tumors, malformations of blood vessels, and damage related to strokes. Vagus nerve stimulation, designed to send mild electrical pulses to the brain by a device that is like a pacemaker, is a surgical option for some patients.

Diet can also be a treatment for some, specifically the ketogenic diet or a modified Atkins diet. The diets are prescribed by a physician and carefully monitored by a dietitian.

Properly diagnosed and treated, most people with epilepsy do very well. Nationally, two out of three people with epilepsy can be expected to enter remission; that is, five or more years free of seizures while using medication. About 75 percent of people who are seizure-free while on medication for two to five years can be successfully withdrawn from medication.