The Comprehensive Epilepsy Center provides patients the highest standard of care, offering proven therapies delivered by a team of experts collaborating through Ohio State’s Neurological Institute. The center includes physicians board-certified in epilepsy, clinical neurophysiology, or both, full-time EEG technologists, a dedicated epilepsy nurse practitioner, and a pharmacist specializing in epilepsy drug treatments.

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center is a Level 4 Epilepsy Center, the highest rating of the National Association of Epilepsy Centers. Our industry-leading, eight-bed Epilepsy Monitoring Unit allows our team to closely evaluate episodes of loss of consciousness or diagnostically challenging seizures. By pinpointing areas of the brain where the seizures originate, we’re able to reveal a range of potential solutions.

Diagnostic tests available at the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center include:

• Electroencephalogram (EEG)
• Continuous video-EEG monitoring (V-EEG)
• Functional MRI (fMRI)
• Ictal SPECT
• Interictal PET
• Intracranial monitoring with depth electrodes and cortical electrode grids

Our clinical interventions include vagal nerve stimulators and deep brain stimulation, temporal lobectomies and extratemporal lesionectomies, and ketogenic and modified Atkins diets. The center actively participates in multi-center clinical trials of new medications and emerging therapies.

Introduction from the Director

Ohio State’s Comprehensive Epilepsy Center combines industry-leading research with world-class patient care. Our interdisciplinary approach allows our team to gain a more complete understanding of epilepsy through proven, promising, and pioneering testing and treatments. From advanced diagnostics and modified diets to complex surgical interventions unavailable elsewhere, our depth and breadth of experience and options offer the privilege to transform the lives of patients and their families.

Center Highlights

Exploring the effectiveness of medication is our first course of treatment. An epilepsy pharmacist is available to answer questions, provide support, and help with medication management. Our nutritionists and dietitians work to create meals plans for modified Atkins and ketogenic low-carb diets, which may be effective in reducing seizures.

The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center also offers advanced therapies proven extremely effective, even for persistent seizures.

• Vagal nerve stimulators: Almost like a pacemaker for the brain, this sends mild electrical pulses to the vagas nerve in the neck to prevent seizures.
• Deep brain stimulation: Electrodes are placed in targeted areas of the brain so mild electrical impulses may be used to reduce or stop seizures.
• Temporal lobectomies: A surgeon removes areas of the brain where seizures start to reduce their severity or stop them altogether.
• Extratemporal lesionectomies: Damaged areas of the brain that may result from tumors, scars from injury or infection, abnormal blood vessels, or hematomas—are removed to minimize or stop seizures.

If patients with epilepsy become pregnant, we partner with our Maternal Fetal Medicine experts in our High-Risk Pregnancy Clinic. We carefully prescribe medications and dosages to minimize risks and complications.

Refer a patient

Ohio State’s Comprehensive Epilepsy Center is designated as a Level 4 epilepsy center by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers. Our center provides patients the highest quality care by a collaborative team of experts working under the banner of Ohio State’s Neurological Institute.

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