Epilepsy Care

Regardless of where you are in your journey with epilepsy, we’re here to help with your next step.

Evaluation and Diagnosis
Our epileptologists perform a comprehensive evaluation to determine what is causing your seizures, where in your brain seizures begin, and which epilepsy treatment is right for you.

Non-Surgical Treatment
Many people are able to control their seizures with medication. Seizure frequency and severity can also be reduced by changing aspects of your daily life, like your work schedule, sleep habits, or diet.

Surgery
People with seizures that are not controlled with medications (called intractable, refractory, or uncontrolled epilepsy) may, after evaluation by neurologists, be recommended for epilepsy surgery. Our neurosurgeons use advanced techniques to pinpoint and address your seizure focus -- the area in your brain where seizures begin -- and how it spreads through your brain. Surgical procedures are chosen to directly eliminate the source of seizure activity, or to reduce the initiation and spread of seizures. Other types of surgeries using brain stimulation techniques may be appropriate for you as well.

Living with Epilepsy
We stick with you even after treatment to make sure you’re getting results. If you don’t live close to Duke, we can coordinate follow-up care with your local doctors to get you home faster.

Comprehensive Care
Our experienced epilepsy specialists include epileptologists, neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, neuropsychologists, mental health providers, social workers, health care practitioners, researchers, and technologists. Our team meets weekly to discuss people with uncontrolled seizures who have had a comprehensive evaluation to determine the best course of action. 

Technology Designed for Safety
Duke University Hospital's epilepsy and neuro-intensive-care units have an electroencephalogram (EEG) machine and video-recording capabilities in every room. This allows our staff to monitor your brain’s electrical activity 24 hours a day. In addition, we have two operating rooms equipped with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners to assist with the most complex procedures. This allows surgeons to see your brain in intricate detail in real time.

Patient Navigators
From even before your initial appointment, our dedicated patient navigators will personally guide you through outpatient testing, inpatient monitoring, surgery, and beyond. You can contact them directly with questions any time during business hours.

Tuberous Sclerosis Center of Excellence
If your seizures are related to tuberous sclerosis complex, you will receive top-notch care for both conditions at Duke. We are the only facility in North Carolina to receive the Center of Excellence designation from the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance -- a nonprofit professional association dedicated to tuberous sclerosis research and advocacy. This recognizes that we meet clinical practice standards for the highest-quality care of children and adults with tuberous sclerosis.

Women with Epilepsy Program
Women with epilepsy have unique needs. Epilepsy and seizure medications can affect hormone levels, menstruation, fertility, birth control, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. Our experts will discuss these issues and how to mitigate them.

Mental Health Support
People with epilepsy may experience anxiety, depression, and memory and concentration problems. Neuropsychologists will meet with you to talk about these concerns and how to address them.

Clinical Research
Duke neuroscientists study all aspects of epilepsy, from why it happens to how to prevent and treat it. You may be eligible to participate in clinical trials and receive experimental diagnostic or treatment methods before they are widely available.

Support Groups
Because epilepsy is a common neurological disease, there is a large community of people who understand what you’re going through. Making local connections can help you learn from others with similar experiences.