Seizures & Epilepsy

Seizures and epilepsy demand more than identifying a seizure type or assigning an epilepsy diagnosis. Dr. Funk diagnoses and evaluates a broad spectrum of seizure disorders and epilepsy, including focal seizures and focal epilepsy, generalized epilepsy, absence seizures, tonic-clonic seizures, myoclonic seizures, temporal lobe epilepsy, frontal lobe epilepsy, post-traumatic seizures and epilepsy, autoimmune epilepsy, provoked and unprovoked seizures, and other complex seizure presentations.

Dr. Funk works to determine where seizures originate, how abnormal electrical activity propagates through the brain, and what neurological mechanisms may influence seizure susceptibility. Depending on the seizure disorder, this can involve cortical and subcortical regions, temporal and frontal networks, limbic structures, thalamocortical circuitry, brainstem and autonomic systems, neurotransmitter systems, and the interconnected neural networks involved in seizure generation, propagation, inhibition, and recovery.

His evaluation integrates a detailed neurological examination with electroencephalography (EEG) when indicated, advanced MRI and neuroimaging review, laboratory diagnostics, neuromarkers when clinically appropriate, medication history, and the patient's complete neurological and physiological presentation. Dr. Funk integrates EEG findings with seizure semiology, neurological examination findings, neuroimaging, laboratory results, clinical history, and other objective data rather than interpreting any single diagnostic finding in isolation.

Determining why a seizure occurred is an important part of the diagnostic process. Dr. Funk investigates potential structural, traumatic, vascular, autoimmune and neuroimmune, infectious and post-infectious, metabolic, endocrine, nutritional, toxic, medication-related, sleep-related, and other neurological or physiological factors that may contribute to seizures or alter seizure threshold. Advanced laboratory testing and neuroimaging may be used when clinically appropriate to investigate underlying causes and identify potentially modifiable contributors.

This deeper investigation can identify clinically important abnormalities involving electrolytes, glucose and energy metabolism, endocrine function, neuroinflammation, autonomic regulation, sleep, cerebral physiology, medications, and other factors capable of influencing neuronal excitability and seizure susceptibility. In patients with complex neurological histories, Dr. Funk also evaluates whether multiple mechanisms may be interacting rather than assuming that every seizure has a single isolated cause.

Not every episode of altered consciousness, collapse, abnormal movement, staring, dizziness, or neurological dysfunction is necessarily epileptic. When clinically appropriate, Dr. Funk evaluates potential seizure mimics and overlapping neurological conditions, including syncope, orthostatic intolerance and dysautonomia, movement disorders, vestibular disorders, migraine phenomena, metabolic abnormalities, and other neurological events that can resemble or complicate the clinical presentation of seizures.

A polysubspecialty approach is particularly important in seizure and epilepsy patients because the underlying cause and neurological consequences may cross multiple neurological systems. Dr. Funk integrates Seizures and Epilepsy with Neuroimmunology, Brain Injury Medicine, Vascular Neurology, Neuro-Infectious Disease, Neuroendocrinology, Dysautonomia, Neuroimaging, Vestibular Neurology, Neurodegenerative Neurology, and other relevant neurological subspecialties to understand why seizures developed and how they fit within the patient's larger neurological condition.

Treatment extends beyond seizure suppression alone. When antiseizure medication is indicated, Dr. Funk works alongside prescribing clinicians regarding medication management while identifying and targeting modifiable neurological, biochemical, metabolic, neuroimmune, autonomic, vestibular, sleep-related, nutritional, and physiological abnormalities that may influence the patient's seizure threshold or overall neurological function.

Neurological rehabilitation and neuromodulation are individualized according to the patient's neurological findings and clinical stability. When clinically appropriate, treatment may incorporate transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS), individualized vestibular and oculomotor rehabilitation, neuro-optometric rehabilitation, sensory and motor rehabilitation, peripheral nerve stimulation, transcranial photobiomodulation, balance and coordination rehabilitation, and other targeted neurological rehabilitation and neuromodulation strategies selected according to the patient's specific neurological presentation.

The objective is not simply to suppress seizures. Dr. Funk works to diagnose the seizure disorder, localize the neural circuitry involved, investigate the underlying etiology, identify modifiable factors that influence neuronal excitability and seizure susceptibility, and improve the neurological environment in which seizures occur. By combining precise neurological localization, EEG and advanced diagnostics, neuroimaging, polysubspecialty investigation, targeted neuromodulation, and individualized neurological rehabilitation, treatment is designed to improve seizure frequency, severity, recovery, and overall neurological function while addressing as many modifiable contributors to the patient's epilepsy as possible.