Epilepsy

Welcome to Memorial Hermann Mischer Neurosciences Epilepsy Program, specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy and seizures in patients of all ages.

Epilepsy is a neurological condition characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures that can be caused by different conditions that affect a person’s brain. It is the second most common neurological disorder after stroke, affecting over three million Americans. Many people have not been able to control their seizures with medication and often feel they must accept this quality of life without knowing there are other treatment options.

The epileptologists at UTHealth Neurosciences, affiliated with Memorial Hermann Mischer Neurosciences, are board-certified neurologists with fellowship training in the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy. They, along with the comprehensive team of renowned neurosurgeons, neuropsychologists, neuroradiologists, dedicated nurses and EEG technicians develop an individualized treatment plan aimed toward achieving seizure freedom and improving quality of life. For more than a decade, the team has been involved in research related to multiple epilepsy treatments approved in the United States to date, including a number of drug and intravenous therapies, responsive neurostimulation (RNS) therapy, and robotic stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG).

• Generalized seizures
• Focal seizures
• Multiregional seizures

Once an epilepsy diagnosis is made, our specialists offer the most advanced treatment options available. Because every case is different, our commitment to research offers each patient the most appropriate treatment available including:

• Medications
• Treatments
• Surgery

If you have epilepsy that has not improved with two or more medications, the Texas Comprehensive Epilepsy Program at Memorial Hermann Mischer Neurosciences can help.

The Texas Comprehensive Epilepsy Program is accredited by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers as a Level 4 epilepsy center. Level 4 epilepsy centers have the professional expertise and facilities to provide the highest-level medical and surgical evaluation and treatment for patients with complex epilepsy. Level 4 is the highest designation given by the NAEC.

Epileptologists at Memorial Hermann Mischer Neurosciences, affiliated with UTHealth, examine, evaluate and refer patients for appropriate testing, using the most advanced diagnostic technology. Our full suite of diagnostic tools for epilepsy includes:

• Stereo EEG (SEEG) and robotic SEEG
• MEG (magnetoencephalography) Elekta Neuromag^® TRIUX
• Video EEG (electroencephalography)
• 3-Tesla Structural MRI
• Functional MRI and tractography
• PET and SPECT

EEGs

Outpatient EEGs

Routine EEG—outpatient procedure with a duration of 20 to 30 minutes as a scheduled appointment

23 hour EEG—outpatient procedure with a duration of 23 hours as a scheduled appointment

Inpatient EEGs

Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU)—elective admission for an average of 3 to 7 days and at times longer

Continuous EEG Monitoring

Inpatient diagnostic procedure for patients already in the hospital with a medical or neurological problem and clinical suspicion for seizure activity

Locations with EEG Monitoring Capability

• Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center
• Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center
• Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center
• Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital

EMU

At the heart of our program is a state-of-the-art EMU—the largest and most comprehensive unit of its kind in the region. Patients are referred to the EMU for one of three reasons:

• They have seizures whose cause is still unknown.
• They have medically uncontrolled seizures.
• They are being evaluated for surgery.

Patients typically are admitted on an inpatient basis and stay with us for an average of 5 to 7 days—sometimes longer for those with medically uncontrolled seizures or patients undergoing evaluation for surgical treatment. During their stay, patients are monitored 24/7 for even the smallest sign of seizure activity. As one of the only inpatient units in the country with a comprehensive set of diagnostic technologies, we constantly gather and record data to help define and locate seizure activity within the brain.

Locations with an EMU

• Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center
• Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center

For Physicians: Refer a patient here »

The information presented on this page is educational and not intended as medical advice or the practice of medicine. Specific aspects of your outcomes and care should be addressed and answered after consultation with your physician.