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A Northwestern Medicine physician examining a brain scan to diagnose epilepsy.

Specialized Care for Epilepsy

The Northwestern Medicine Comprehensive Epilepsy Center is devoted to caring for patients living with epilepsy and other seizure disorders. The center is made up of a multidisciplinary team which includes neurologists, neurosurgeons, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, as well as specialized nurses and EEG technicians who all are committed to providing excellent care for patients with seizures.

The Comprehensive Epilepsy Center offers two hospitals designated by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers. We work together to determine how to best treat your seizures in a way that minimizes significant side effects and maximizes your quality of life.

We believe that being seen at an Epilepsy and Seizure center makes a world of difference. This applies both to patients who just had a first seizure and for patients who have suffered for many years. We make sure our patients receive the correct diagnosis and understand the cause of the seizures before choosing the right treatment approach.

Meet the Epilepsy Teams

Team of physicians looking at a chart on a computer

Epilepsy and seizure disorders have implications for many areas of life. Our team offers a comprehensive approach which looks at all the challenges which accompany epilepsy and other seizure disorders, including social support, cognitive and emotional concerns, bone and cardiac health, as well as dietary options.

We also offer the only Women's Epilepsy Program in Illinois.

Conditions

Diagnostic Testing

Detailed information on these different tests and where to get them done within Northwestern Medicine are provided below. Please check with your primary healthcare provider as to which locations are suitable.

Treatments and Services

The mainstay of treatment for epilepsy and seizure disorders is based on medications. However, it is important to treat other problems which may occur with epilepsy.

Northwestern Medicine Alberto Culver Health Learning Center 251 E Huron Building

Epilepsy Care at Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Northwestern Memorial Hospital is a designated Level 4 Epilepsy Center, recognized as providing the gold standard of care for epilepsy and seizure disorders. We also offer the only Women's Epilepsy Program in Illinois.

Central DuPage Hospital building exterior

Epilepsy Care in the Western Suburbs

Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital is accredited by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers as a Level 3 Epilepsy Center.

northwestern-medicine-lfh-new-hospital

Epilepsy Care in the Northern Suburbs

Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital offers epilepsy symptom management close to home.

Northwestern Memorial Hospital is ranked No. 11 by U.S. News and World Report in Neurology & Neurosurgery.

Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Nationally recognized in Neurology & Neurosurgery (No. 11)

National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC)

Northwestern Medicine is the only health system in Illinois with two (adult) hospitals designated by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC).


NAEC Level 4 Epilepsy Center
Northwestern Memorial Hospital


NAEC Level 3 Epilepsy Center
Central DuPage Hospital

ABRET Accredited Epilepsy Monitoring Unit

epilepsy-monitoring-unit
The Epilepsy Monitoring Unit and Critical Care EEG Monitoring Unit at Northwestern Memorial Hospital is accredited by the Long-Term Monitoring Laboratory Accreditation Board of ABRET (LAB-LTM).

Thermal Ablation Surgery for Seizures (LITT)

thermal ablation

This video provides an overview of thermal ablation surgery, also known as LITT, for epilepsy and seizures.