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

Northwestern Medicine Comprehensive Epilepsy Center

Northwestern Medicine offers specialized care for epilepsy and seizure disorders to help improve your quality of life.

The Northwestern Medicine Comprehensive Epilepsy Center is devoted to caring for patients living with epilepsy and other seizure disorders.


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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.

Videos

What to Expect for a Stay in a Northwestern Medicine Epilepsy Monitoring Unit 4:54
What to Expect for a Stay in a Northwestern Medicine Epilepsy Monitoring Unit
July 30, 2024
Understanding Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP)
3:52
Understanding Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP)
December 20, 2023
Invasive EEG Monitoring in Epilepsy
18:52
Invasive EEG Monitoring in Epilepsy
March 17, 2022
Approach to Focal Epilepsy Secondary to Dominant Temporal Low Grade Gliomas
8:46
Approach to Focal Epilepsy Secondary to Dominant Temporal Low Grade Gliomas
March 17, 2022
Can Epilepsy Surgery Help?
3:00
Can Epilepsy Surgery Help?
January 18, 2022
Can Epilepsy Surgery Help? - Phase 1 Evaluation
7:31
Can Epilepsy Surgery Help? - Phase 1 Evaluation
January 18, 2022
Can Epilepsy Surgery Help? - Phase 2 Evaluation
4:34
Can Epilepsy Surgery Help? - Phase 2 Evaluation
January 18, 2022
Can Epilepsy Surgery Help? - Surgical Treatments for Epilepsy
6:56
Can Epilepsy Surgery Help? - Surgical Treatments for Epilepsy
January 18, 2022
Northwestern Medicine Epilepsy Ketogenic Diet Clinic
10:06
Northwestern Medicine Epilepsy Ketogenic Diet Clinic
April 26, 2021
Coder Uses Brain Computer to Shut Down Seizures
4:20
Coder Uses Brain Computer to Shut Down Seizures
November 05, 2020
Thermal Ablation Surgery for Seizures (LITT)
2:12
Thermal Ablation Surgery for Seizures (LITT)
September 10, 2020

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.

Meet the Teams
Downtown Chicago
Northern Suburbs
Western Suburbs
Southern Suburbs

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.

epilepsy care at northwestern memorial hospital
specialized care for women with epilepsy
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.

epilepsy care in the western suburbs
northwestern-medicine-lfh-new-hospital

Epilepsy Care in the Northern Suburbs

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

epilepsy care at lake forest hospital
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)

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Northwestern Memorial Hospital Details
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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).

National Association of Epilepsy Centers Level 4 Badge

Northwestern Memorial Hospital

 

National Association of Epilepsy Centers Level 3 Badge

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).

Learn More about the ABRET accreditation

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.

watch video

HealthBeat Articles

nm-epilepsy-underlying-cause_preview
read more about Epilepsy: Finding the Underlying Cause

Epilepsy: Finding the Underlying Cause

Genetic testing provides insight about adult-onset epilepsy, including causes and personalized treatment.

Neuron cells.
read more about What Is Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP)?

What Is Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP)?

How to reduce your risk.