Epilepsy Care
Count on UC San Diego Health to diagnose and treat epilepsy and seizure disorders in adults.
You'll have access to the highest level of care. This includes expert neuroimaging and tests for an early diagnosis as well as comprehensive treatment to protect brain function.
What Is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy causes seizures, which are disturbances in the brain's electrical activity that can begin at any age. Sometimes the onset of seizures is due to injury, infection or genes, but often, there is no known cause or trigger for epilepsy.
When to See an Epilepsy Specialist
Ask your doctor to see an epileptologist for specialized epilepsy care if you:
- Have uncontrollable seizures after seeking treatment for three months from your primary care provider
- Continue to have seizures after working with a general neurologist for a year
Nationally Recognized Expertise and Services
UC San Diego Health is a Level 4 Epilepsy Center, as designated by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC). This top-level designation means we provide the highest level of advanced and comprehensive epilepsy care.
Neurodiagnostic and monitoring services to help reduce seizure frequency
Therapies to control seizures that don't respond to medication
Surgical procedures to identify and treat areas of the brain causing seizures
Ongoing research and clinical trials aimed at improving treatments and results
Related Services
Surgery for Epilepsy
UC San Diego Health is recognized for its expertise in performing advanced surgical procedures for treating epilepsy.
Learn More About Epilepsy Surgery
Your First Appointment
At UC San Diego Health, your medical team will create a treatment plan to help you prevent and control seizures. During your first appointment, you will:
- Meet your care team of seizure specialists
- Receive testing and exam services to help us learn more about your condition
- Discuss treatment options, including epilepsy surgery, with your care team
Video: Epilepsy Care with Dr. Jerry Shih
Research Leads to Groundbreaking Treatment for Seizures
UC San Diego Health is one of the first health systems in the country to perform an experimental procedure that injects regenerative cells into the brain to treat epileptic seizures. The innovative therapy, part of a a national clinical trial, aims to eliminate seizures and revolutionize the treatment of temporal lobe epilepsy.
Resources
- National Association of Epilepsy Centers
- Epilepsy Foundation
- Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County
- American Epilepsy Society
Make a Gift
Help support advances in epilepsy treatment by making a financial gift to UC San Diego Health's Neurological Institute.
Expert Team
Our epilepsy team consists of a wide range of highly trained professionals dedicated to your care, including EEG technologists, clinical nurse specialists, clinical trial specialists, neurologists, epileptologists, neuropathologists, neuropsychologists, neuroradiologists, neurosurgeons and psychiatrists.