TMS Therapy for Epilepsy and Seizures

What are Seizures and How Do They Occur?

Seizures are sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbances in the brain. They can cause a wide range of symptoms, from brief lapses in attention to intense convulsions.

Seizures may result from brain injury, infection, abnormal brain development, or unknown causes.

These episodes occur when neural circuits become overactive or misfire. Depending on which areas are affected, seizures can vary in presentation, severity, and duration.

Types of Seizures and Their Characteristics

Seizures are generally classified into two main categories:

• Focal (Partial) Seizures: Begin in one area of the brain and may or may not affect awareness. They may involve unusual sensations, movements, or emotions.
• Generalized Seizures: Affect both sides of the brain from the start. This category includes absence (staring spells), tonic-clonic (convulsions), myoclonic (brief muscle jerks), and atonic (sudden loss of muscle tone) seizures.

Understanding the type of seizure is critical for effective treatment planning.

What is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a neurological condition characterized by a tendency to experience repeated, unprovoked seizures. It affects people of all ages and can develop from various structural, genetic, or environmental factors.

Causes and Risk Factors of Epilepsy

Common causes include:

• Genetic predisposition.
• Head trauma or brain injury.
• Stroke or tumor.
• Brain infections like meningitis or encephalitis.
• Prenatal brain damage.
• Neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., autism).

In many cases, the exact cause of epilepsy remains unknown. Risk increases with certain health conditions and family history.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Epilepsy

Epilepsy symptoms depend on seizure type and brain region affected, but may include:

• Uncontrolled jerking movements.
• Loss of awareness or consciousness.
• Staring spells.
• Temporary confusion or memory loss.
• Sudden fear or anxiety.
• Strange sensations (smells, tastes, or sounds).

When to See a Neurologist for Seizure Symptoms

You should seek evaluation if you or a loved one experiences:

• A first-time seizure.
• Changes in seizure frequency or intensity.
• Post-seizure confusion, fatigue, or injuries.
• Difficulty managing medication side effects.

Early diagnosis can help prevent complications and improve long-term outcomes.

Diagnosing Epilepsy

Accurate diagnosis often includes:

• Neurological exam: To assess motor function, behavior, and coordination.
• EEG (electroencephalogram): Measures electrical activity in the brain.
• Brain imaging: MRI or CT scans help detect abnormalities or injuries.
• Blood tests: Rule out infections or metabolic issues.
• Functional imaging: Identifies regions involved in seizure onset.

At Neurotherapeutix, we use advanced imaging to guide both diagnosis and treatment.

Epilepsy and Seizure Treatment Options

While epilepsy has no known cure, many people achieve seizure control with the right care plan.

Medication-Based Seizure Management

Anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) are the first-line treatment and aim to stabilize brain activity.

However, medications can have side effects such as drowsiness, mood changes, or cognitive impairment.

Lifestyle Modifications for Seizure Control

While medications are often central to managing seizures, thoughtful lifestyle changes can also make a meaningful difference in reducing seizure frequency and enhancing overall well-being.

According to a 2021 meta-analysis of both clinical and experimental studies in Frontiers, regular physical activity has been shown to either reduce seizure susceptibility. This suggests that incorporating manageable exercise routines can play a supportive role in epilepsy care.

Other recommendations to help support brain stability and reduce seizure risk include:

• Maintaining regular sleep patterns to avoid fatigue-related triggers.
• Avoiding alcohol or known individual triggers like certain medications or extreme environments.
• Adopting stress management techniques and relaxation routines.
• Sticking closely to your medication schedule.
• Using seizure alert devices or medical ID tags for safety.

When Medications are Not Enough

For individuals with drug-resistant epilepsy, alternative treatments may include:

• Surgical intervention (removal of seizure focus).
• Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS).
• Ketogenic diet.
• TMS therapy, especially when targeting cognitive and emotional symptoms related to epilepsy.

TMS Therapy for Epilepsy and Seizures

At Neurotherapeutix, we offer fMRI-guided TMS therapy as a supportive option for individuals living with epilepsy and seizure disorders.

This advanced, personalized approach uses functional brain imaging to pinpoint areas where communication between brain regions may be disrupted.

With this insight, we deliver gentle, targeted magnetic pulses to those areas to help rebalance brain activity and reduce the likelihood of seizures.

TMS therapy is non-invasive, medication-free, and may be especially helpful for people who experience side effects from seizure medications or who haven’t found relief through traditional treatment alone.

Benefits of TMS for Seizure Disorders

For some individuals living with epilepsy, TMS therapy can offer meaningful improvements in seizure control and overall brain function, especially when traditional medications aren’t enough or cause disruptive side effects.

One of the most significant benefits is the reduction of seizure frequency and severity. A 2020 meta-analysis in the Journal of Clinical Neurology found that repetitive TMS significantly reduced seizure frequency and epileptiform discharges in individuals with drug-resistant epilepsy, supporting its role as a promising treatment option.

Other benefits include:

• Improved brain network regulation: By helping restore balanced activity across brain regions, TMS may enhance communication between neural circuits involved in seizure generation and control.
• Support for medication-sensitive patients: TMS is drug-free and non-invasive, making it an option worth considering for those who cannot tolerate or don’t respond well to anti-seizure medications.
• Minimal downtime and few side effects: Most patients can resume normal daily activities right after each session, with few reported side effects—most commonly, mild scalp sensitivity or temporary fatigue.

While TMS isn’t a cure for epilepsy, it may serve as a valuable adjunct therapy for improving quality of life and helping patients better manage their symptoms.

What to Expect During TMS Therapy

At Neurotherapeutix, every TMS journey starts with a personalized assessment. We use brain mapping to identify the exact regions of disrupted connectivity related to your seizure activity. This level of precision allows us to tailor your treatment to your unique brain map.

Here’s what you can typically expect:

• Treatment Duration: Sessions last about 20–30 minutes.
• Frequency: Most patients receive between 20 and 40 sessions over several weeks.
• Comfort: During each session, you’ll be seated in a relaxing treatment chair while a magnetic coil gently delivers targeted pulses to specific areas of your brain.
• Monitoring: We regularly assess your progress and adjust the protocol as needed to maximize therapeutic benefits.

There’s no need for anesthesia or hospitalization, and sessions are held right in our Upper East Side clinic.

Is TMS Therapy Right for You?

fMRI-guided TMS therapy may be a helpful addition to your epilepsy treatment plan if:

• You continue to experience seizures despite taking anti-seizure medications.
• You experience intolerable side effects from epilepsy medications.
• You have focal epilepsy or localized seizure activity.
• You’re looking for a non-invasive, drug-free treatment option.
• You’re interested in a personalized, neuroimaging-based approach.

Personalized Epilepsy Care at Neurotherapeutix NYC

At Neurotherapeutix, we understand how life-altering epilepsy can be for both patients and families. That’s why we’re committed to providing advanced, compassionate care that goes beyond symptom management.

By combining functional imaging with targeted TMS therapy, we tailor every treatment plan to the unique needs of your brain. This means we’re not just treating epilepsy, we’re supporting your brain’s ability to heal and function at its best.

We welcome individuals of all ages and stages of care—from those newly diagnosed to those navigating long-term management.

Whether you’re seeking a second opinion, alternative treatment, or expert guidance, we’re here to help.

Ready to explore your options? Request an appointment or contact our team today to learn more.