Frontal lobe epilepsy can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms can be mistaken for psychiatric problems or sleep disorders, such as night terrors. It's also possible that some seizure effects found in the frontal lobe might be the result of seizures that begin in other parts of the brain.

Your doctor will review your symptoms and medical history and give you a physical exam. You might also have a neurological exam, which will assess:

  • Muscle strength
  • Sensory skills
  • Hearing and speech
  • Vision
  • Coordination and balance

Your doctor might suggest the following tests.

  • Brain scans. Brain imaging, usually MRI, might reveal the source of frontal lobe seizures. An MRI scan uses radio waves and a powerful magnetic field to produce detailed images of soft tissues, which make up the brain.

    An MRI scan involves lying on a narrow pallet that slides into a long tube. The test often takes about an hour. Some people feel claustrophobic inside MRI machines, although the test itself is painless.

  • Electroencephalogram (EEG). An EEG monitors the electrical activity in your brain via a series of electrodes attached to your scalp. EEGs are often helpful in diagnosing some types of epilepsy, but results can be normal in frontal lobe epilepsy.
  • Video EEG. Video EEG is usually performed during an overnight stay at a sleep clinic. Both a video camera and an EEG monitor run all night. Doctors can then match what physically occurs when you have a seizure with what appears on the EEG during the seizure.


Over the past decade, treatment options have increased for frontal lobe seizures. There are newer types of anti-seizure medications as well as a variety of surgical procedures that might help if medications don't work.


All anti-seizure drugs seem to work equally well at controlling frontal lobe seizures, but not everyone becomes seizure-free on medication. Your doctor might try different types of anti-seizure drugs or have you take a combination of drugs to control your seizures. Researchers are continuing to look for new and more-effective medications.


If your seizures can't be controlled with medications, surgery might be an option. Surgery involves pinpointing the areas of the brain where seizures occur.

Two newer imaging techniques — single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) and subtraction ictal SPECT coregistered to MRI (SISCOM) — can help identify the area generating seizures.

Another imaging technique, known as brain mapping, is commonly used before epilepsy surgery. Brain mapping involves implanting electrodes into an area of the brain and using electrical stimulation to determine whether that area has an important function, which would rule out surgery on that area. In addition, functional MRI (fMRI) is used to map the language area of the brain.

If you have surgery for your frontal lobe seizures, you're likely to continue to need anti-seizure medication after the surgery, although possibly at a lower dose.

Surgery for epilepsy might involve:

  • Removing the focal point. If your seizures always begin in one spot in your brain, removing that small portion of brain tissue might reduce or eliminate your seizures.
  • Isolating the focal point. If the portion of the brain that's causing seizures is too vital to remove, surgeons might make a series of cuts to help isolate that section of the brain. This prevents seizures from moving into other parts of the brain.
  • Stimulating the vagus nerve. This involves implanting a device — similar to a cardiac pacemaker — to stimulate your vagus nerve. This procedure usually reduces the number of seizures.
  • Responding to a seizure. A responsive neurostimulator is a newer type of implanted device. It is activated only when you begin to have a seizure, and it stops the seizure from occurring.
  • Deep brain stimulation (DBS). This newer procedure involves implanting an electrode into your brain that's connected to a stimulating device, similar to a cardiac pacemaker, which is placed under the skin of your chest. The device sends signals to the electrode to stop signals that trigger a seizure.

More Information

Lifestyle and home remedies

Some seizures might be triggered by alcohol intake, smoking and, especially, lack of sleep. There is also evidence that severe stress can provoke seizures, and that seizures themselves can cause stress. Avoiding these triggers where possible might help improve seizure control.

Alternative medicine

Some people with common neurological conditions, including seizures, turn to complementary and alternative medicine, such as:

  • Herbal medicines
  • Acupuncture
  • Psychotherapy
  • Mind-body techniques
  • Homeopathy

Researchers are looking into these therapies, hoping to determine their safety and effectiveness, but good evidence is mostly still lacking. There is some evidence that a strict high-fat, low-carbohydrate (ketogenic) diet might be effective, particularly for children.

Many people with epilepsy use herbal remedies. However, there's little evidence for their effectiveness, and some can cause an increased risk of seizures.

Marijuana (cannabis) is one of the most commonly used herbal remedies for treating epilepsy, but most evidence doesn't show that it helps. However, little data are available and research into its usefulness is ongoing. Let your doctor know if you use cannabis.

The Food and Drug Administration does not regulate herbal products, and they can interact with other anti-epileptic drugs you take, putting your health at risk. Talk to your doctor before taking herbal or dietary supplements for your seizures.

Coping and support

Some people who have epilepsy are embarrassed or frustrated by their condition. Frontal lobe seizures can be especially embarrassing if they involve loud utterances or sexual movements.

Parents of children with frontal lobe seizures can find information, resources and emotional connections from support groups to help their children and themselves. Counseling can be helpful as well. Adults with epilepsy also can find support through in-person and online groups.

Preparing for your appointment

You'll probably first see your family doctor, who might refer you to a neurologist.

What you can do

Ask a family member or friend to come with you to the doctor to help you remember the information you receive.

Make a list of:

  • Your symptoms, even those that seem unrelated to the reason you scheduled the appointment, when they began and how often they occur
  • All medications, vitamins and supplements you take, including doses
  • Questions to ask your doctor

Some questions to ask include:

  • What is likely causing my symptoms or condition?
  • What treatments are available, and which do you recommend?
  • Is surgery a possibility?
  • Will I have restrictions on my activity? Will I be able to drive?

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you questions, such as:

  • Did you notice any unusual sensations before the seizures?
  • How often do the seizures occur?
  • Can you describe a typical seizure?
  • How long do the seizures last?
  • Do the seizures occur in clusters?
  • Have you noticed seizure triggers, such as illness or lack of sleep?
  • Has anyone in your immediate family ever had seizures?
June 25, 2019
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  2. Frontal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsy Foundation. https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/types-epilepsy-syndromes/frontal-lobe-epilepsy. Accessed June 6, 2019.
  5. Types of epilepsy surgery. Epilepsy Foundation. https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/treating-seizures-and-epilepsy/surgery/types-epilepsy-surgery. Accessed June 7, 2019.
  6. Cascino GD. Surgical treatment of epilepsy in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed June 7, 2019.
  7. Vakharia VN, et al. Getting the best outcomes from epilepsy surgery. Annals of Neurology. 2018;83:676.
  8. Herbal therapy. Epilepsy Foundation. https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/treating-seizures-and-epilepsy/other-treatment-approaches/herbal-therapy. Accessed June 7, 2019.
  9. Medical marijuana and epilepsy. Epilepsy Foundation. https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/treating-seizures-and-epilepsy/other-treatment-approaches/medical-marijuana-and-epilepsy. Accessed June 7, 2019.