About the Texas Comprehensive Epilepsy Program
The Texas Comprehensive Epilepsy Program at the Mischer Neuroscience Institute is the leading program in the southwestern United States for the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy in patients of all ages. We draw upon the combined expertise of board-certified neurologists and neurosurgeons with subspecialty training and experience in treating patients with seizures and epilepsy.
More than 3 million Americans suffer from epilepsy and other seizure disorders. Many millions more suffer alongside them – friends, parents, spouses and children. Our mission is to help patients gain control of their seizures and regain their desired quality of life by applying the most comprehensive diagnostic and treatment methods available.
Epilepsy is not the same in everyone. Some of the reasons patients develop epilepsy still defy medical explanation, but the onset of epilepsy may be associated with a number of known causes.
Genetics, brain trauma, structural abnormalities, stroke and brain tumor rank among the top underlying causes. Determining why a patient may have developed the condition is crucial to planning the most effective treatment.
At the heart of our program is a state-of-the-art Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) – the largest and most comprehensive unit of its kind in the region. Patients are referred to the EMU for one of three reasons:
• They have seizures whose cause is still unknown.
• They have medically uncontrolled seizures.
• They are being evaluated for surgery.
Patients typically are admitted on an inpatient basis and stay with us for an average of five to seven days – sometimes longer for those with medically uncontrolled seizures or patients undergoing evaluation for surgical treatment. During their stay, patients are monitored 24/7 for even the smallest sign of seizure activity. As one of the only inpatient units in the country with a comprehensive set of diagnostic technologies, we constantly gather and record data to help define and locate seizure activity within the brain.
MEG
MEG (magnetoencephalography) maps neurological function by measuring the magnetic fields produced by the brain’s natural electrical activity. It provides physicians with clear data to help locate the source of seizures and minimize operative risk in patients with epilepsy or brain lesions by clearly defining what regions of the brain are critical to speech and motor function.
The Mischer Neuroscience Institute is a national leader in combining the use of MEG and functional MRI to fully map the brain and brain activity. We also remain the only center in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma to offer this service since bringing the first MEG imager to Houston in 1997. Each year the EMU performs more than 150 completely noninvasive, pain-free MEG procedures on pediatric and adult patients, without the need for anesthetic or exposure to hazardous materials. And with shortened measurement preparation and collection times, a path of treatment may be determined as quickly and safely as possible – ensuring our patients get the treatment they need, when they need it.
Video EEG
Video-EEG (electroencephalography) allows physicians to monitor patients using video and audio while recording the electrical activity in their brains. EEG is the cornerstone study to identify seizures and epilepsy. For some epilepsy patients, the monitoring study uses special intracranial electrodes that are temporarily implanted on the brain by a neurosurgeon.
3-Tesla Structural MRI
During the initial evaluation, all patients undergo a 3-Tesla MRI which allows physicians to visualize the brain structure and look for abnormalities or lesions that may cause seizures.
Functional MRI and tractography
Prior to surgery, patients may qualify for a clinical research trial which uses functional MRI and tractography to localize critical brain regions involved in motor function and language.
PET and SPECT
Positron emission tomography (PET) and Single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) scans are highly specialized tests that allow physicians to visualize brain function rather than structure. PET specifically examines metabolic activity, while SPECT identifies blood flow patterns. Each test may be helpful in identifying a brain region causing seizures, particularly inpatients with normal CT or MRI scans.
Memory and speech (Wada) testing
The WADA test is performed on patients being considered for surgery. It is used to identify the language and memory functions of the left and right brain.
Neuropsychological testing
Neuropsychological testing is used to determine if seizures have changed areas of brain function such as memory, language, math skills or personality.
Neuropsychological testing is used to determine if seizures have changed areas of brain function such as memory, language, math skills or personality.Neuropsychological testing is used to determine if seizures have changed areas of brain function such as memory, language, math skills or personality.
Neuropsychological testing is used to determine if seizures have changed areas of brain function such as memory, language, math skills or personality.Neuropsychological testing is used to determine if seizures have changed areas of brain function such as memory, language, math skills or personality.