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Ochsner is the only institution in Louisiana that operates a dedicated epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) and offers intracranial monitoring and minimally invasive epilepsy surgery.
About 1 in 26 people will develop epilepsy at some point during their lifetime.
We are committed to providing personalized medicine to optimize management of epilepsy.
The internationally recognized, board certified and fellowship-trained epilepsy team at Ochsner is committed to providing the most modern, innovative medical and surgical care for the treatment of epilepsy. Our outcomes have been published in national and international meetings and leading epilepsy journals.
The epilepsy team comprises:
In addition, our team members include a highly experienced certified neurodiagnostic lab manager, a strong team of skilled neurodiagnostic technologists, and a biomedical engineer with expertise in 3D modeling and intracranial EEG analysis.
Our team collaborates seamlessly with experts throughout the Ochsner system to manage all medical conditions.
Adult Neurology
Pediatric Neurology
Neurosurgery
Ochsner treats thousands of patients every year with epilepsy and seizure disorders at the following Ochsner locations:
To schedule an appointment or receive a second opinion, visit my.ochsner.org or call 504-842-3980.
Seizures come in various shapes and sizes – some are quiet staring spells, while others can cause a person to collapse, shake, and become unaware of what’s going on around them. It’s important to remember that having one seizure doesn't mean you have epilepsy. At least two unprovoked seizures are generally required for an epilepsy diagnosis.
Seizure symptoms can include:
Each of our patients undergoes a thorough evaluation and a comprehensive diagnostic work up. At Ochsner, we use cutting-edge technology:
Ochsner’s epilepsy experts specialize in providing a wide range of cutting-edge treatments for adult and pediatric conditions, including:
Ochsner is the only institution in Louisiana that operates an epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) where patients with complex seizure disorders and other repetitive neurological events can be diagnosed and managed. Monitoring in the EMU provides a detailed analysis of brain activity and other physiological measurements over multiple days.
Adult and pediatric services: The EMU at Ochsner has eight dedicated adult beds and two dedicated pediatric beds with capacity to expand services to other telemetry beds in the hospital. The EMU rooms have special safety measures, and some are equipped with dual cameras. Our team of epileptologists, nurses, intensivists, and EEG technologists track and record brain activity 24 hours a day. Patients are monitored closely to ensure safety during their stay.
Did you know that patients with epilepsy are candidates for surgery after trying at least two anti-seizure medications at appropriate dosages that fail to control the seizures?
We offer surgical evaluation and planning with various testing modalities including:
Phase I: Brain positron emission tomography (PET), epilepsy protocol brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional brain MRI studies, ictal SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) scans, diffusion tensor brain MRI, Wada testing, neuro-psychological testing and video EEG monitoring
Phase II: Intracranial video EEG monitoring, functional mapping and seizure localization, and neurostimulation
Surgical options for treatment include:
Our team hosts weekly multi-disciplinary surgical case conferences, where patients and their family members are involved in the decision-making process leading up to and during surgery. Our dedicated nurse and social worker help navigate patients through this process.
Patients are cared for by expert neuro-intensivists who work in collaboration with our epileptologists to provide dedicated care to patients with life-threatening seizures and status epilepticus. We offer several advanced therapeutic options and clinical trials for these critically ill patients. The Neuro ICU is one of the largest in the country with 45 beds.
First Seizure Clinic
Ochsner provides an expedited access to patients experiencing their first seizure or seizure-like event that requires a thorough evaluation.
Epilepsy During Pregnancy
Our team understands that the needs of patients with epilepsy are different during pregnancy. Our epileptologists are trained in pharmacological management of epilepsy during pregnancy and the postpartum period. We will collaborate with your obstetricians to make sure you and your baby are getting the very best care.
Our program collaborates with a national pregnancy database for patients with epilepsy to monitor outcomes in babies. Learn more: http://www.aedpregnancyregistry.org
Transition Epilepsy Clinic
Ochsner provides a seamless transition for adolescents transitioning to adulthood that need care for their epilepsy. The pediatric and adult neurologists work together as a team, along with the social worker, to ensure that the care is uninterrupted and appropriate.
Ochsner offers several options for the management Epilepsy:
We also offer the following surgical treatments:
Resective surgery: The neurosurgeon will temporarily remove part of the bone from the skull to expose the brain. This surgery involves the removal of the seizure focus (brain tissue responsible for the generation of seizures). The extent of the resection varies based on the results of diagnostic testing for each patient.
Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS®): This therapy is designed to prevent seizures by sending regular, mild pulses of electrical energy to the brain via the vagus nerve. These pulses are supplied by a device placed in the chest that is similar to a pacemaker. Some models of VNS can detect rapid rise in heart rate associated with some seizures and deliver stimulation targeted at aborting the seizure. The surgical procedure involves implanting this device into the chest region and the electrodes in the neck region. This surgery typically does not require the patient to be admitted to the hospital, nor is localization required.
Responsive neurostimulation (RNS®): Ochsner is the only facility in the region offering the RNS® System. This device automatically monitors brain signals and provides stimulation to abort seizures. The system is intended for adults with medically refractory partial seizures that come from one or two areas in the brain. It is particularly useful for seizures coming from eloquent parts of the brain, such as those responsible for speech or movement. The device also has the capability of targeting broad areas in the brain where seizures originate. The surgical procedure involves implanting this device into the brain and skull. The surgery typically requires the patient to be admitted to the hospital for a brief recovery period.
MRI-guided laser ablation: Ochsner is the only institution in the region to use MRI-guided laser ablation technology for minimally invasive neurosurgery. This allows us to use a laser to burn precise portions of the brain to stop seizures. The surgical procedure involves implanting a thin laser into the brain. The patient is monitored continuously in the MRI scanner while the procedure occurs. The surgery typically requires the patient to be admitted to the hospital for a brief recovery period.
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) for epilepsy: The newest surgical treatment for epilepsy, DBS has two electrodes placed in the anterior nuclei of the thalamus and connected to a pacemaker-like generator in the chest. This is a suitable option for patients whose seizure-onset zone cannot be localized more precisely. The surgery typically requires the patient to be admitted to the hospital for a brief recovery period.
For more information on these treatment options, visit the Epilepsy Foundation.
Epilepsy is caused by irregular brain activity. It affects patients of all ages, races and ethnic backgrounds.
Sometimes no clear cause of seizures can be identified.
Ochsner Neurosciences participated in several investigator initiated and national clinical trials not widely available. Our epileptologists, neuro-intensivists, neuropsychologists, and neurosurgeons are actively engaged in research and present their work at several national and international scientific meetings. Learn more about Clinical Research at Ochsner.
To refer a patient, call the Clinic Concierge at 504-842-7436 or 1-855-312-4190.
Ochsner Health is proud to announce the future new Robert J. and Debra H. Patrick Neuroscience Center. This 132,000-square-foot facility will soon be home to the nationally ranked Ochsner Neuroscience Institute, bringing 25 national renowned programs under one roof. This will be the only major neuroscience institute between Houston and Atlanta, serving as a catalyst for innovation in the field of neurosciences for the patients of the Gulf South.
Over 700 clinical trials are being conducted at Ochsner.
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