The Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at CentraState— staffed by an experienced team of epileptologists, neurologists, registered nurses, and technologists—provides a full spectrum of care for adults, adolescents, and children with epilepsy. Using state-of-the-art, specialized equipment, we offer inpatient and outpatient diagnostic evaluations and procedures to diagnose and determine your best treatment option.
EPILEPSY SEIZURE CONTROL AND BEYOND
Video Electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring is the gold standard in evaluating patients with suspected seizures. This painless system records seizures on video and on a computer so that your physician can see what happens just before, during, and right after a seizure. This test can be very helpful in determining the specific area of your brain that the seizures originate from.
Video EEG may be used on a short-term or long-term basis. Short-term monitoring is done on an outpatient basis in the hospital and may last up to six hours. Long-term monitoring is done in the hospital and may last one to three or more days.
At CentraState, epilepsy treatment options include:
Seizure Medications—Medications can control seizures in most epilepsy patients. Your physician will choose a seizure medication based on the type of seizures you are having.
Dietary Therapy—Monitored by your physician and nutritionist, the ketogenic diet—a special high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet—can help control seizures in some people.
Vagus Nerve Stimulator (VNS)—This device, which is sometimes compared to a pacemaker, is designed to prevent seizures by sending regular, mild pulses of electrical energy to the brain via the vagus nerve.
Epilepsy Surgery—Surgery may be an option for some people whose seizures cannot be controlled by medications.
Chronic Disease Management—Manage underlying conditions such as genetically related conditions and developmental disorders that cause childhood epilepsy.
In addition to evaluating and treating patients with seizures or suspected seizures, we go beyond the goal of seizure control to address important issues, including:
- Medical and non-medical treatment options
- Behavioral and cognitive effects of seizures and medications
- Pregnancy and reproductive issues in seizure patients
- Everyday issues like driving and employment
- Depression and other emotional health concerns of patients with seizures
Our multidisciplinary approach provides ongoing support for epilepsy patients and their families to improve quality of life, accessibility, and care for those coping with seizures.
NEUROLOGISTS AND NEUROSURGEONS
Caren Marks, M.D.
MS Center, Neurology
Pinakin Jethwa, MD
Neurosurgery
PK
Paul Kostoulakos, DO
Neurology
Amos Katz, M.D.
MS Center, Neurology
Ronald Benitez, MD
Neurosurgery
James Ware, M.D.
Neurology
SL
Susan Lage, D.O.
Neurology
Megdad Zaatreh, M.D.
Epileptologist, Neurology
Kyle Chapple, MD
Neurosurgery
VG
Vasko Gulevski, M.D.
Neurology
Jia Zhen Cheng, MD
Neurology
Jonathan Lustgarten, M.D.
Neurosurgery
BF
Boris Furman, D.O.
Neurology
RK
Rajat Kumar, M.D.
Neurology
Jasmin Patel, MD
MS Center, Neurology
James Barrese, MD
Neurosurgery
Matthew Tormenti, M. D.
Neurosurgery
Seth Joseffer, M.D.
Neurosurgery
Mark McLaughlin, M.D.
Neurosurgery
AM
Amor Mehta, MD
Epileptologist, Neurology
TM
Terence McAlarney, M.D.
MS Center, Neurology
David Estin, M.D.
Neurosurgery
RK
Rajat Kumar, M.D.
Neurology
Imran Khan, MD
Neurology
AN
Arun Nangia, M.D.
Neurology
David Frank, M.D.
Neurology
Robert Aiken, MD
Neurology
David Wells Roth, MD
Neurosurgery
Shamik Chakraborty, MD
Neurosurgery, Spine Surgery
Nirav K. Shah, M. D.
Neurosurgery
MC
Maria Choy, M.D.
Neurology
BR
Bruce Rosenblum, MD
Neurosurgery
Richard Meagher, MD
Neurosurgery
EPILEPSY FAQs
Because there are many types of epilepsy, seizures can appear in many different ways. The most common types of seizures include:
- Simple, partial seizures, which cause symptoms such as sudden shifts in mood, unexplained anger or fear, disturbed speech, and “out of body” or other unusual feelings, such as things suddenly seeming unfamiliar.
- Complex partial seizures, which cause symptoms like a lack of response or awareness to verbal stimuli, wandering, a lost sense of time, and repeating phrases or repeated lip smacking.
- Generalized seizures, which are often the most obvious type of seizure, causing prolonged staring spells, sudden falls, muscle contractions, and convulsions.
If you experience any of these symptoms, seek prompt medical attention.
If further testing is needed, your doctor may order an EEG to check electrical activity in the brain. Brain scans such as specially designed MRIs may also help determine whether epilepsy is causing a child’s seizures.
