The recurrent seizures that herald epilepsy come from sudden, temporary disturbances in the normal function of the brain’s electrical system. While many people with epilepsy can be successfully treated with anti-epileptic drugs that provide partial or complete control over seizures, many do not respond to medication, or even a combination of multiple medications. As a result, they may experience catastrophic epileptic seizures daily, making any semblance of a normal life impossible. At Yale, we offer promising options for many of these patients. Our experts are world-renowned, specializing in the treatment of new-onset epilepsy in children and adults, as well as medically intractable seizure disorders. Our Epilepsy and Seizure Center was one of the first of its kind, and we continue to lead the way as one of the most advanced and active programs in the world. More epilepsy surgeons around the country received their training at Yale than at any other program in the country. We see both children and adults for second opinions, diagnostic evaluation, and first-time seizures. We provide treatment recommendations for all types and severity of epilepsy or possible epilepsy. Our multidisciplinary team includes epileptologists, neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuropsychologists, neuroradiologists, neuropathologists, and psychiatrists. Nurses, technicians, technical staff, and administrative staff are also key players in patient care.Our neurologists work in collaboration with neurosurgeons and diagnostic radiologists to deliver intensive and innovative therapeutic and diagnostic services for patients with varying forms and degrees of seizures and epilepsy. Specialists perform intensive audiovisual and EEG monitoring for diagnosis and localization of the affected area. We evaluate our patients in phases to precisely coordinate electrophysiology, cognitive testing, medical history, and physical and neurological examination with advanced imaging using MRI, SPECT, and PET techniques.

The Pediatric Epilepsy Program studies and treats epilepsy and seizure disorders. The program is equipped with state-of-the-art technology for continuous electroencephalographic and video monitoring of seizures in infants and children. This facility represents one component of a comprehensive evaluation and treatment program for children with epilepsy. Recognizing that 6% of the pediatric population experiences at least one seizure in a lifetime, Pediatric Neurology is committed to understanding the nature of seizure disorders in children. Our team of dedicated experts offers a multidisciplinary approach to care that integrates the expertise of colleagues in neurosurgery and diagnostic imaging to deliver leading-edge evaluation, diagnosis, and patient care to children with varying forms and degrees of seizure and epilepsy. Our Program provides intensive audiovisual and electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring for diagnosis and localization of the affected area, to tailor care for each patient. Patients receive comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services, and a full range of medical and surgical treatment options, including ketogenic diet and vagus nerve stimulator programs for the treatment of children with complex epileptic conditions, as well as investigative therapies and approaches that are not widely available.

Internationally known for clinical excellence and cutting-edge research, we provide promising treatment options for adult and pediatric patients. Our program was one of the nation's first, and has evolved into one of the most active and advanced in the world.Yale is internationally recognized as a leader in innovative treatment for medically intractable and new onset epilepsy. We treat patients in outpatient settings, at a six-bed adult epilepsy monitoring unit, a two-bed pediatric epilepsy monitoring unit, and a technologically advanced operating suite. We are also equipped with state-of-the-art technology for continuous brain and video monitoring of seizures in children and infants. We evaluate patients in phases to precisely determine concordance of electrophysiology, cognitive testing, history, as well as physical and neurological examination with advanced imaging, using MRI, SPECT, and PET techniques. Doctors treat each surgical patient as an individual, determining which procedure or combination of procedures is appropriate.