Epilepsy Diagnosis
Epilepsy experts at Cedars-Sinai can help you get answers and much-needed relief. Not everyone who experiences seizures has epilepsy. Other medical conditions, such as a head injury or severe infection, can also trigger a seizure. Some people experience non-epileptic seizure disorders brought on by psychological problems or stress.
The best way to find out what's wrong is through epilepsy testing from specialists. Our epilepsy experts at Cedars-Sinai accurately pinpoint the source of the seizure, so you receive appropriate care. Find out more about the types of epilepsy and seizure disorders we treat.
Our Approach to Epilepsy Diagnosis and Evaluation
Our epileptologists can accurately confirm or rule out an epilepsy diagnosis. We also work with other Cedars-Sinai specialists, including neurosurgeons and neuropsychologists, when necessary. Our team considers all possible causes, which helps you get the right care.
You benefit from:
- Leading-edge care: The National Association of Epilepsy Centers recognizes Cedars-Sinai as a Level 4 epilepsy center. We deliver the highest level of care, including a broad range of tests. We also stay up to date on the latest techniques for diagnosing epilepsy.
- Expertise: Our team includes neurologists who completed additional fellowship training in epilepsy. We provide a complete evaluation and accurately interpret your test results to determine a diagnosis. Meet our expert team.
- Advanced testing: At Cedars-Sinai, you have access to inpatient testing that gets to the bottom of complex seizure disorders. We use video electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring to identify the location in the brain the seizures are coming from. Read more about our epilepsy monitoring unit.
Seizure Disorder and Epilepsy Testing
We start by asking you what happens before, during and after seizures, including physical movements, feelings and sensations. It's normal if you can't recall some of this information. We encourage you to bring a loved one who has witnessed your seizures so we can learn as much as possible.
Seizure disorder and epilepsy testing includes:
- Neurological exam: We assess your brain and nervous system functioning, including your ability to walk, see and remember words.
- Electroencephalogram (EEG): This test helps us evaluate the electrical activity in the brain. An EEG may enable us to detect a certain type of seizure or identify which area of the brain they are coming from. Find out more about electroencephalogram.
- Imaging tests: We may perform brain imaging tests, such as a computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET) scan or ICTAL SPECT scan, MRI/PET Fusion, functional mapping, and MEG (offsite). These studies help us rule out seizures that stem from other causes, such as tumors and cysts. We also use imaging studies to evaluate changes in the brain during a seizure.
- Neuropsychologic evaluation: We assess how seizures are affecting brain functioning, including your memory and ability to concentrate. This evaluation helps us determine whether you may benefit from surgery. Get more information about neuropsychology.
Have Questions or Need a Second Opinion?
Call us or send a message to our care team. You can also request that we call you back at your convenience.