Neuroscience

Comprehensive Epilepsy Program

Designated by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers with its highest distinction level as a level 4 center, the Stanford Comprehensive Epilepsy Program is ranked among the top comprehensive centers in the nation.

Comprehensive Epilepsy Program
213 Quarry Road
Palo Alto, CA 94304
Phone: 650-723-6469 Getting Here
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Maps & Directions
Maps & Directions
213 Quarry Road
Palo Alto, CA 94304
Phone: 650-723-6469 Getting Here »
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Our Doctors

Care and Treatment of Epilepsy

Intractable Epilepsy Program

The Intractable Epilepsy Program at Stanford offers innovative treatment options, including surgery and devices, for individuals with intractable epilepsy that cannot be controlled by medications. Some of these treatments offer greater precision than ever in targeting the seizure source, are only performed by the Stanford team and not available elsewhere in the world for individuals with intractable epilepsy.

Our multispecialty team of intractable epilepsy experts includes specialists in clinical epileptology, epilepsy nursing, epilepsy surgery, neuropsychology and neuroradiology. The team works together to conduct comprehensive evaluations to determine the right customized surgical plan for appropriate patients with intractable epilepsy.

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Case reviews are conducted after your evaluation and regularly throughout the course of treatment by the team and information is provided to referring physicians.

Intractable epilepsy evaluations provide:

  • Comprehensive video-EEG monitoring
  • High-resolution structural MRI (3-Tesla and 7-Tesla)
  • High-resolution fMRI EEG with 256 electrodes
  • Functional brain mapping using fMRI and electrical brain stimulation

Intractable epilepsy treatment goals include:

  • Localizing the seizure focus in the brain
  • Revising/stabilizing the medication regimen
  • Offering surgical removal of the source of seizures, if needed
  • Providing surgical devices that are either on the market or being offered via clinical trials

Surgery candidates with intractable epilepsy

After evaluation, the lead doctor on your care team will share the findings with the rest of the epilepsy team in a weekly conference. A decision will be made by the group regarding whether you are a candidate for epilepsy surgery based on the following criteria:

  • The evidence about the origin of your seizures is overwhelming and there is no doubt that you will tolerate the epilepsy surgery. You will then be referred to a surgeon without needing any additional diagnostic procedures.
  • The evidence about the origin of your seizures is strong but the location of the seizures needs to be verified. You will then be referred to a surgeon for inpatient intracranial video-EEG monitoring.
  • Surgery to remove the epileptic tissue is not safe for you. However, the team may consider a device, such as a vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) or an investigational device through a clinical trial.

Stanford Health Now

Stanford Intractable Epilepsy Program

The Stanford Intractable Epilepsy Program offers innovative treatment options, including surgery and devices, for individuals with intractable epilepsy.

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials.

Open trials refer to studies currently accepting participants. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but may open in the future.

Open Trials Closed Trials

For Patients

For your convenience, you may check in for all same-day appointments at the Stanford Neuroscience Health Center through a centralized, check-in desk near the front lobby. In addition to all outpatient services, you also can access onsite pre-surgery consultations at the center.

Stanford Health Care is known worldwide for the advanced patient care provided by its doctors and staff.  We also provide a wide range of guest services and amenities to our patients and visitors. Learn more about preparing for a hospital stay, billing and financial services, and our other support programs in Patients & Visitors.  

International Patients
Phone: +1 650-723-8561
Email: IMS@stanfordhealthcare.org

Call us to make an appointment

650-723-6469

Resources

For Health Care Professionals

We will see patients with intractable epilepsy within two weeks of referral. Referring physicians can sometimes arrange a direct admission for video EEG monitoring.

PHYSICIAN HELPLINE

Phone: 1-866-742-4811 
Fax: 650-320-9443
Monday – Friday,  8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

TRANSFER CENTER

Phone: 1-800-800-1551,  24 hours - 7 days a week

Stanford Health Care provides comprehensive services to refer and track patients, as well as provides the latest information and news for physicians and office staff. For help with all referral needs and questions visit Referring Physicians.

HOW TO REFER

Patients with difficult to treat epilepsy should be referred to a comprehensive epilepsy center for advanced diagnostic and treatment options. To refer a patient, fax a referral form to 650-725-0390.

Referrals include:

  • Patients with intractable epilepsy who have tried at least two different antiepileptic medications, but still suffer from seizures that affect their quality of life.
  • Patients who have disabling side effects from their seizure medicines.
  • Pregnant women with epilepsy or women with epilepsy who wish to become pregnant.
  • Patients with severe co-morbidities of epilepsy.
  • Patients who are difficult to diagnose or who may have one of the many imitators of epilepsy.
  • Any patient who might be a candidate for resective surgery or neuro-implantation to treat their epilepsy.
  • Send referrals online
  • View referral status
  • Access medical records

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To request an appointment, call 650-723-6469.