Epilepsy and Seizures

Marcus Neuroscience Institute at Boca Raton Regional Hospital takes a patient-centered approach to treating epilepsy and seizures. That means we'll explore various treatment options for your condition and work together to find a solution that best fits your lifestyle.

A seizure is an event in the brain that causes changes in movement, behavior, perception or consciousness. Epilepsy is a chronic condition where someone experiences repeated seizures that don’t seem to have a specific cause.

While we can control epilepsy with different treatments, we also consider how those treatments affect your lifestyle. Ultimately, we hope to find an effective therapy that helps you live a quality, independent life.

Contact us with the number below.

561-955-4600

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What type of epilepsy conditions are treated at Marcus Neuroscience Institute?

We treat a wide range of epilepsy conditions, from new-onset seizures to intractable chronic epilepsy. Whether you've experienced a seizure for the first time or need ongoing care for your epilepsy, our team has the expertise to tailor treatment for you.

We also have experience diagnosing and treating children who have pediatric epilepsy or related conditions.

How do Marcus Neuroscience Institute experts diagnose epilepsy?

If you've experienced a seizure or your doctor believes you have epilepsy, our team will use electroencephalography (EEG) tests and MRIs to pinpoint your diagnosis and determine the best treatment plan. Marcus Neuroscience Institute has access to a 3-Tesla (3T) MRI, which gives more detailed images of the brain compared to a standard MRI.

Depending on your symptoms, you may undergo a standard EEG test or a long-term EEG. Long-term EEGs can take between one and seven days.

During a long-term EEG, you may stay in the hospital while we monitor your brain activity for a day or several days. At Marcus Neuroscience Institute, we have the region's only epilepsy monitoring unit, which allows us to record audio and video along with your brain waves. Having this detailed data can help us better understand the disease and develop a more tailored, effective treatment.

If you don’t want to stay in the hospital for the long-term EEG, we also offer outpatient long-term EEG testing. This test allows you to go home with an EEG device that records brain data for several days.

How does Marcus Neuroscience Institute treat epilepsy and seizures?

We have a diverse team of experts who come together to create a personalized treatment plan. From epileptologists to neurosurgeons to radiologists, everyone works together to find the right therapy for you.

The first line of treatment for most epilepsy conditions is anti-epileptic medicines. There are many different kinds of anti-epileptic medications, so we go over each treatment option with you, along with any potential side effects. In some cases, you may need to take more than one anti-epileptic medicine.

If medicine does not help your symptoms, we may recommend neurosurgery or neurostimulation treatment.

Marcus Neuroscience Institute is the only hospital in the region to offer neurostimulation, which may include:

  • Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) – This treatment involves implanting a small, battery-powered device on the skull. The device stimulates the vagus nerve with electrical pulses, which can reduce seizures.
  • Responsive neurostimulation (RNS) – This treatment also uses a small device that is implanted on the skull. The device monitors and responds to the brain's electrical activity to prevent seizures.

Our approach

When you come to Marcus Neuroscience Institute for epilepsy or seizure treatment, you can expect:

  • A patient-centered treatment approach that we tailor to your needs and lifestyle
  • The region's experts in epilepsy and seizures, with neurologists who are specially trained to treat these conditions (epileptologists)
  • The latest diagnostic tools and treatments, including 3-Tesla MRIs, an on-site epilepsy monitoring unit and neurostimulation treatments

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Can I still drive if I've had a seizure?

If you've had a seizure, be sure to talk to your doctor about when it is safe for you to drive. Most states have laws for how long you must wait to drive after having a seizure. In Florida, you must be seizure-free for six months before driving.

How long will I need to take anti-epileptic medication?

Every patient's symptoms are different, so the treatment time varies from person to person.

If we recommend you take anti-epileptic medicine, we'll go over any short- and long-term side effects with you. Ultimately, we want to find a treatment that helps your symptoms and fits your needs and lifestyle.

What should I do if I have a seizure?

If you have a seizure for the first time, or if you have a seizure that is different than a seizure you’ve had before, go to the emergency room right away. When possible, it's best to lay on your side during the episode and protect your head.

If you have chronic seizures, it's still important to check in with your neurologist when you have an episode, even if it has typical symptoms. This can help your doctor track your symptoms and adjust your treatment as needed.

Meet the team

Our team includes epileptologists, neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuropsychologists and radiologists who specialize in diagnosing and treating epilepsy and seizures.

Epilepsy and seizure clinical trials

Our team looks for clinical trials that study new treatments for epilepsy and recommends participation for patients who could benefit. To learn more, talk to your doctor or view our list of active trials. Clinical Trials
To schedule a consultation, please call 561-955-4600.