Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders

The Ochsner epilepsy and seizure disorder team understands how complicated a neurological condition can be. Treatment options for epilepsy and seizure disorders are more effective than ever before. By using the most advanced technology, our team provides the comprehensive neurological treatment available. We’re also conducting clinical trials and research initiatives that improve neurological treatment for patients throughout the region.

We’re the only epilepsy and seizure disorder program in Louisiana that:

• Operates dedicated pediatric and adult epilepsy monitoring units

• Offers responsive neurostimulation therapy and MRI-guided laser ablation therapy

Our unique clinics include:

• First-Seizure Clinic for patients with new seizures

• Neuro-Intensive Care Unit

• Status epilepticus recovery clinic for patients who were treated in the ICU

• Transition Epilepsy Clinic for adolescents transitioning to adult care

• Women’s Epilepsy Clinic for women with catamenial epilepsy (seizures that occur more frequently during the menstrual cycle) and seizures during pregnancy

Advanced surgical options available at Ochsner include:

• Comprehensive phase I evaluations

• Electrocorticography, a method to monitor brain activity for seizures during brain surgery

• Neuromodulation, including vagus nerve stimulation and deep-brain stimulation

• Open resection

• Robotic-assisted phase II stereoelectroencephalography, a procedure that uses surgically implanted electrodes to help determine where a seizure begins

• Subdural strip localization procedures, which use strips of electrodes placed on the brain to help determine where a seizure begins

You also have access to epilepsy trained social workers and nurse navigators as well as financial counselors.

Each patient experiences a neurological disorder differently. Epilepsy and seizure disorders are all caused by abnormal electrical activity in parts of the brain. Our team understands the nuances of these conditions from diagnostics to managing symptoms and treatment side effects. Our experts create individual treatment plans to deliver the care you need. Conditions we treat include:

• Autoimmune encephalopathy — inflammation in the brain caused by an autoimmune disorder

• Epilepsy

• Drug-resistant epilepsy

• Functional neurological disorders — nervous system problems that impact brain function

• Non-epileptic events — events that appear to be seizures but are related to psychological events

• Seizure disorders in adults, children and pregnant women

Each of our patients receives a thorough evaluation and a comprehensive diagnostic workup using advanced technology. Our program includes:

• Advanced brain imaging, including 3T MRI and brain positron emission testing

• Eight-bed adult and four-bed pediatric epilepsy monitoring units

• Electric source localization, which helps determine the three-dimensional source of electrical activity in the brain that causes seizures

• Electroencephalogram (EEG)-combined tilt-table testing

• Evoked potential studies, which measure how the brain’s electrical activity is affected by sight, sound or touch

• Functional brain mapping with MRI and implanted electrodes, which helps determine the functions of various regions in the brain

• Home-based EEG testing to help capture seizure activity in the home environment

• Neuropsychological evaluations

• Outpatient and inpatient EEG studies

Download the information regarding your diagnostic study in the epilepsy monitoring unit.

From our multidisciplinary team to advanced technology and surgical techniques, the epilepsy and seizure disorder program at Ochsner offers some of the best care in Louisiana. Our areas of expertise include:

• Drug-resistant epilepsy

• Epilepsy in all age groups

• Epilepsy during pregnancy

• First-seizure evaluations

• Focal epilepsy

• Generalized and genetic epilepsy

• Neurodiagnostic studies

• Neuromodulation

• Non-epileptic events/psychogenic events

• Surgical management of epilepsy

A seizure is defined as abnormal electrical activity in areas of the brain. Seizures may cause a change in behavior. Epilepsy is a brain disorder categorized by multiple seizure occurrences.

Epilepsy can be the result of many conditions or events, including abnormal brain structures, brain infections, changes to the immune function of the body, genetic issues and problems with the enzymes that process your food (metabolic issues). About half of cases of epilepsy have no known cause.

• Focal seizures: A focal seizure impacts one area of the brain and one group of brain cells. Patients may be awake or disoriented during focal seizures.

• Generalized seizures: A generalized seizure impacts both sides of the brain and multiple brain cell groups at once. Absence seizures, tonic-clonic and atonic seizures are considered general seizure types.

A neurologist specializes in the brain and nervous system, while an epileptologist is a neurologist with specialized training in epilepsy and seizures.