Quick answer
An epileptologist is a neurologist with focused training in epilepsy, seizure classification, EEG interpretation, Video EEG decisions and drug-resistant epilepsy pathways. Patients from Gujarat may need this level of review when events are repeated, unclear, associated with abnormal EEG, or continue despite medicines.
At Gujarat Epilepsy & Neuro Clinic in Ahmedabad, Dr. Abhishek Gohel and Dr. Rutul Shah provide epilepsy-focused consultation and guide whether routine EEG, sleep-deprived EEG, Video EEG, PNES assessment, medicine review or surgery evaluation is the next appropriate step.
Who should see an epileptologist in Gujarat?
- First seizure or repeated seizures needing structured review
- Unclear blackouts, staring spells, falls or seizure-like events
- Abnormal EEG report that needs clinical correlation
- Events continuing despite anti-seizure medicines
- Concern for focal epilepsy, generalized epilepsy, PNES or mixed events
- Questions about drug-resistant epilepsy or epilepsy surgery evaluation
Epileptologist vs neurologist
A neurologist treats many brain, nerve and spinal conditions. An epileptologist is a neurologist with additional epilepsy-focused training, especially in seizure semiology, EEG/Video EEG interpretation, medication strategy and drug-resistant epilepsy pathways.
For straightforward neurological symptoms, a general neurology visit may be enough. For repeated seizures, uncertain diagnosis, normal routine EEG despite events, or treatment-resistant epilepsy, an epileptologist-led pathway can change the next step.
Patients travelling from Gujarat cities
Patients from Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Mehsana, Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar and other Gujarat cities often travel to Ahmedabad when they need epilepsy-focused review, EEG interpretation, Video EEG planning or a second opinion before major treatment decisions.
Outpatient consultation is at Gujarat Epilepsy & Neuro Clinic, Elite Magnum, Sola Road. If prolonged monitoring or admission is needed, the pathway may continue through KD Hospital for inpatient Video EEG and advanced evaluation.
What reports to bring
A specialist visit is more useful when the older records are available. Bring previous prescriptions, current medicine list, EEG reports, MRI brain report or disc, hospital discharge summaries, blood reports and phone videos of events when available.
A short witness video can be especially helpful when the question is whether the event is epileptic seizure, fainting, PNES or another seizure mimic.
EEG, Video EEG and MRI review
EEG records brain electrical activity, but a normal routine EEG does not always rule out epilepsy. The report has to be interpreted with the event history, medicine response, MRI findings and, when available, event video.
Video EEG may be discussed when events are unclear, frequent enough to capture, suspected to be PNES, or part of drug-resistant epilepsy and surgery evaluation. MRI review may help correlate seizure type with structural findings.
Drug-resistant epilepsy and surgery evaluation pathway
Drug-resistant epilepsy is considered when seizures continue despite trials of two appropriate anti-seizure medicines. This does not mean surgery is automatic, but it does mean the diagnosis, seizure type, EEG/MRI correlation and treatment pathway should be reviewed carefully.
When appropriate, further steps may include Video EEG monitoring, MRI/PET review, neuropsychology, multidisciplinary discussion and epilepsy surgery evaluation. Outcomes vary and decisions depend on the individual case.
PNES and seizure-like events
Some events look like epilepsy but are not caused by the same abnormal electrical activity in the brain. PNES should not be diagnosed from appearance alone, and some people can have both epileptic seizures and non-epileptic events.
An epileptologist may use history, event videos and Video EEG when appropriate to separate epilepsy, fainting, PNES and other seizure-like conditions safely.
Meet Dr. Abhishek Gohel and Dr. Rutul Shah
Gujarat Epilepsy & Neuro Clinic is led by Dr. Abhishek Gohel and Dr. Rutul Shah, neurologists with DM Neurology training from NIMHANS and fellowship training in epilepsy.
Both doctors review patients with seizures, blackouts, abnormal EEG, Video EEG questions, PNES concern, drug-resistant epilepsy and pre-surgical evaluation needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is an epileptologist?
An epileptologist is a neurologist with focused training in epilepsy, seizure classification, EEG interpretation, Video EEG decisions and drug-resistant epilepsy pathways.
When should I see an epileptologist in Gujarat?
Consider an epileptologist review if seizures are repeated, diagnosis is unclear, EEG is abnormal or hard to interpret, events continue despite medicines, PNES is possible, or surgery evaluation is being discussed.
Do patients from outside Ahmedabad consult an epileptologist here?
Yes. Patients from several Gujarat cities visit Ahmedabad for epilepsy review, EEG or Video EEG planning, drug-resistant epilepsy assessment and second opinions. Bring prior reports and event videos when available.
Is Video EEG always needed?
No. Video EEG is usually considered when routine evaluation is inconclusive, events need to be captured, PNES is possible, or drug-resistant epilepsy evaluation requires more detail.
Can an epileptologist help if medicines are not controlling seizures?
Yes. The review may reassess the diagnosis, seizure type, medicine choice, adherence, EEG/MRI correlation and whether drug-resistant epilepsy or surgery evaluation should be considered. Outcomes vary by cause and case.