Epilepsy

Looking for answers about epilepsy care?

The Nebraska Medicine epilepsy team is here to help you take control of your seizures with advanced diagnostics, personalized treatment plans and access to the most comprehensive epilepsy care in the region.

Looking for expert epilepsy care? Call 800.922.0000 to schedule your appointment and start your path to better seizure control.

Expert care for hard-to-treat seizures

We offer advanced care for people living with epilepsy, especially those with complex or hard-to-control seizures. Our Level 4 epilepsy center is the highest-rated epilepsy program by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC). This means we provide the most comprehensive testing, treatment and surgical options available anywhere in the country.
Whether you're newly diagnosed or have been living with epilepsy for years, our team is here to help you get answers and find better control.

What to expect during your first visit

At your first appointment, one of our epilepsy specialists will meet with you to learn more about your seizure history and the treatments you've already tried. From there, we’ll:

• Make sure you're on the right medication for your seizure type.
• Explore new medications or combinations, if needed.
• Schedule additional tests to understand what’s happening in your brain. 

Common tests may include:

• EEG (to check your brain’s electrical activity).
• MRI (to take a detailed picture of your brain).
• Video EEG monitoring (a test where you stay in our unit for a few days so we can safely observe your seizures and brain activity).

Our goal is to understand exactly where the seizures are coming from and what treatment options are most likely to help.

Advanced treatment options

We care for all types of epilepsy, including rare and drug-resistant forms. If medicine alone isn’t working, we offer a full range of treatment options, including:

• Surgery to remove the small part of the brain causing seizures.
  • Implantable devices like:
    • RNS (responsive neurostimulation)
    • DBS (deep brain stimulation)
    • VNS (vagus nerve stimulation)

Why choose Nebraska Medicine?

We are a nationally recognized center with a Level 4 designation from the National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC) – the highest possible level of epilepsy care in the U.S. This means our team has advanced training and experience to treat even the most complex and rare forms of epilepsy, including seizures caused by autoimmune brain disorders.

For patients whose seizures don’t respond to medication, we offer a full range of surgical and device-based treatments. These include precise brain surgeries to remove seizure-causing tissue and implantable devices that send signals to help stop seizures before they start. Our epilepsy-trained neurosurgeons are highly experienced and specialize in these advanced procedures.

We also provide expert support from:

• Epilepsy-trained neurosurgeons with deep experience performing surgery specifically for epilepsy.
• Epilepsy dietitians, who guide patients through specialized diets known to reduce seizures.
• Licensed neuropsychologists, who address memory, thinking and emotional health challenges that often come with epilepsy.

We’re proud to be the only epilepsy center in Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota that offers this full spectrum of services in one place.

Leading research and clinical trials

Our patients may also benefit from access to groundbreaking research and clinical trials, including:

• NEURONA Trial – Exploring the use of stem cell therapy to help patients with drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy delay or avoid surgery.
• NORSE Registry – A national study to better understand and treat new-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE), a rare and life-threatening condition.

Support for patients and families

We understand that epilepsy affects more than just the patient and recognize the significant impact it can have on families, schools and workplaces. That’s why we offer education, advocacy and connections to local support groups and national resources. We help patients and caregivers feel confident and supported throughout their journey.

Our team has been helping people manage epilepsy for over 20 years. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or searching for options after years of treatment, we’re here to guide you with expertise, compassion and hope.

Let us help you find the right path forward.