Epilepsy

Overview

Mayo Clinic is a world-leading institution in developing innovative ways to diagnose and treat epilepsy in children and adults. Epilepsy cannot be cured, but it may be controlled through medication or surgery. At Mayo, highly qualified experts from neurology, neurosurgery and other medical specialties work closely together to find the most appropriate treatment for patients with epilepsy.

Each year, specialists in epilepsy treatment at Mayo Clinic's Arizona, Florida and Minnesota locations provide comprehensive care for more than 3,500 patients. Mayo Clinic's unique collaborative approach is essential to achieving optimal outcomes for patients with epilepsy.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, is ranked No. 1 in Neurology & Neurosurgery in the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings.

Diagnosis

Syncope (fainting), stroke and other conditions may often be confused with epilepsy. An accurate diagnosis of epilepsy is crucial for proper treatment. To accurately diagnose epilepsy, Mayo Clinic specialists have many tools, including SISCOM, an imaging technology developed at Mayo that pinpoints seizure locations.

At Mayo, specialists review medical history and conduct a complete physical examination for patients with epilepsy. They may request blood tests, electroencephalography (EEG) and brain imaging tests such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In Mayo's efficient collaborative system, a thorough evaluation can usually be completed in a few days.

Read more about diagnosis of epilepsy.

Treatment Options

The primary treatment options for patients with epilepsy are medications, surgery and vagus nerve stimulation. The same treatment does not work for every patient because the type and severity of epilepsy varies.

• For many patients, medication taken regularly and as prescribed will prevent seizures.
• When medications fail to control or substantially reduce the frequency of seizures, brain surgery may be recommended.
• The ketogenic diet helps some children and adults with epilepsy.
• Investigational treatments (treatments being tested in clinical trials to determine their effectiveness) may be an option for eligible patients.
• Potential interplay among hormones, seizures and medications may create additional treatment considerations for women.

Read more about epilepsy treatment options.

• Treatment in Arizona
• Treatment in Florida
• Treatment in Minnesota
• Treatment of Children & Adolescents

About Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a disorder of the central nervous system. In epilepsy, the brain's normal pattern of neuron activity is disturbed, causing patients to experience unusual sensations, emotions and behavior. Common signs of epilepsy include loss of consciousness and seizures (physical convulsions).

Two or more seizures must occur before a person can be diagnosed with epilepsy, also known as seizure disorder. Patients who have seizures, however, do not necessarily have epilepsy. Five percent to 10 percent of the population will experience a seizure at some time in life.

Learn more about epilepsy at www.MayoClinic.com.