Neurology

At Prime Medical Associates, Dr. Arun Rajan is a board-certified, fellowship-trained neurologist who specializes in treating epilepsy. He sees children and adults from 9 years old and up. A neurologist diagnoses and treats disorders of the nervous system: the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles.

Epilepsy is a disorder that is caused by a surge of abnormal nerve signals in the brain. Repeated seizures are the main symptom of epilepsy. There are several different types of seizures.

In many cases, the cause of epilepsy is unknown. Epilepsy can run in families and may occur as a result of a genetic disorder or an acquired brain injury, such as a trauma or stroke.

Treatment for epilepsy involves medications, dietary changes, surgical procedures, or a combination of treatments to reduce and prevent seizures. With treatment, some people can become seizure-free.

Other neurology-related conditions we treat include:

• Tension headaches
• Cluster headaches
• Migraine headaches
• Dizziness
• Vertigo
• Stroke
• Neuropathy (nerve pain)
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Brain tumors
• Spinal cord tumors
• Multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson’s disease
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Dementia
• Sleep disorders

To help diagnose neurological disorders, Dr. Rajan will perform a comprehensive evaluation, and he may order diagnostic tests such as:

• Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS)
• Electroencephalography (EEG)
• Ambulatory EEG for 24-48 hours with video recording
• Evoked potential tests
• Electronystagmography (ENG)

EMG and NCS Tests

EMG and NCS are tests that help Dr. Rajan assess the health of muscles and the nerve cells that control them. NCS measures how well a nerve works while EMG measures how well a muscle works in response to electrical nerve impulses. Measuring the electrical activity in muscles and nerves can help detect the presence, location, and extent of muscle or nerve disorders, such as a herniated disc, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), muscular dystrophy, or peripheral neuropathy.

Electroencephalography (EEG)

Electroencephalography (EEG) records the electrical activity of the brain. This test is used to diagnose and monitor epilepsy, seizures, Alzheimer’s disease, head injuries, and sleep disorders. An EEG in the office provides only a 20- to 40-minute sample of brain activity, whereas an ambulatory EEG records seizure activity for an extended period of time (24-48 hours) while you are both awake and asleep.

Evoked Potential Tests

Evoked potential tests measure electrical activity in certain areas of the brain in response to stimulation of certain groups of nerves. These tests are often used to assist in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.

The eyes, inner ears, and brain work together to help a person maintain balance and a sense of position. Electronystagmography (ENG) can detect damage to the structures or nerves in the inner ear or the nerves that connect your brain to your eyes and ears, which can cause a vestibular (balance) disorder such as dizziness or vertigo.

To schedule a neurology evaluation with Dr. Rajan at Prime Medical Associates in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, call (508) 993-9760 or use our secure online appointment request form. We see patients from across Bristol County, including New Bedford and Fall River.