Meet Dr. Cynthia Guadalupe Keator

Cynthia Keator, M.D., has dedicated her career to the field of pediatric epilepsy, in part because there is always something new to learn, and especially because great strides are constantly being made in the medical treatments available to kids who are diagnosed with this condition. These advances make profound differences in the lives of children and their families. On a daily basis, Dr. Keator witnesses children outgrow the condition, go into remission or find effective treatment.

"I wanted to go into medicine my whole life. And I also knew I wanted to help children. Most kids change their minds a million times but I didn't. I always knew I wanted to do this," says Dr. Keator. Today, she is proud to doctor at Cook Children's and an integral part of a neurology team that is making such huge difference in the lives of children.

Her study of pediatric epilepsy and dedication to those who have it extends well beyond one-on-one interaction with patients. Dr. Keator is active in the Epilepsy Foundation of Texas, a program that offers children statewide support and education, and even provides summer camps for children with epilepsy.

All children want to be physically active and that is a common ground she shares with patients. Having spent her residency in Colorado she has become an avid skier.

Dr. Keator holds another unique distinction: she competed in the Miss America Pageant, and while she could have played the piano for her talent portion of the competition, she chose instead to perform a ventriloquist act. She is married and is a mother of 1 (as well as mother to two dogs)

Dr. Keator took her time, really talked with us, answered all our questions and never once seemed put out or impatient. I wanted to cry after our appointment- it went SO WELL. From the beginning, everyone was kind, smiled and genuinely seemed to want to help. They ALL SMILED. I know it doesn't seem like a big deal, but when you spend so much time in doctors offices and hospitals, its those little things that make a massive impact. In the five years and six months of my sons life, we have never had a better experience. We will continue to make the drive to see Dr. Keator, and should we need to add any other specialists to our roster, I'll be requesting Cook Children's as well. With all of this special needs mama's heart, Thank you. – Patient family

Services

  • Pediatric epilepsy
  • Pediatric neurology

Reviews

Average rating:

5.0
Questions were addressed
5
5 (30)
Provider explained things clearly
5
5 (30)
Likelihood of recommending this provider
4.9
4.9 (30)
Trust/confidence in physicians
4.9
4.9 (30)

What our families say

  • October 22, 2025

    Your facility, and staff have been taking care of our son for 13 to 14 years. Everyone from your clinic to your Epilepsy hospital staff are exceptional. It was with a very heavy heart that we left Tuesday since our son has now graduated to an adult neurologist. Our family cannot thank you enough for the exceptional care provided and there are not enough words to describe how lucky Cook Children's is to have Dr Cynthia Keator and Dr [...]. They are the most caring, attentive, and knowledgeable physicians we have ever had the privilege to work with.

  • October 01, 2025

    Everything good

  • October 01, 2025

    Mrs Cynthia Keator we live in Midland Texas. We came to see my daughters doctor for the last time because she's 18 now we made a trip just to come and say thank you and show her our appreciation. We will highly recommend this doctor to whoever. We may know that needs this kind of assistance in the future. We truly love our doctor that we had.

  • September 28, 2025

    Dr. Keator is very thruro in her assments. She's always open for questions and concerns that we may have and made it easy to contact her.

  • September 07, 2025

    Everything was great!

  • September 07, 2025

    Dr Keator is awesome!!!

  • June 24, 2025

    We always enjoy our visits with Dr Keator. She is so kind, caring, and attentive.

  • June 24, 2025

    We had another wonderful experience at Cook Children's. It's one of our families favorite places! The facility is so nice, and the staff is amazing!

  • May 23, 2025

    Services. That they give. They are excellent. Yes, I like it. How. Serve.

  • May 23, 2025

    All the people were very friendly and professional and very attentive always those were very happy with [...] care thank you

  • May 11, 2025

    I am very satisfied with Dr Keator and her staff. I she Is very down to earth and shows genuine concern for his medical needs

  • May 11, 2025

    No bad experiences concerning Dr Keator and her staff No complaints Would highly recommend her to anyone who is seeking quality neurological care for their child

  • May 09, 2025

    I wanna recognize Cynthia keator because she was the one that helped get through my epilepsy and seizures because she knew how to professionally treat me.I haven't had a seizure in seven months. So thank you for all you have done for me doctor keator me and my family will miss you much love and thanks!!!

  • April 10, 2025

    Everyone has treated us like Family at the office.

  • April 10, 2025

    Dr Cynthia Keator is an amazing Dr. She has taken great care of us. She has an awesome staff working with her.

  • April 04, 2025

    She does really well going over my child seizure plans, and always asks me and my husband what we think if she has to make any changes to my sons care.

  • March 27, 2025

    We appreciate how Dr. Keator & Dietician [...] work so well together keep [...] healthy. They both keep it professional in a comfortable atmosphere.

  • March 26, 2025

    Everything was really great!

  • March 18, 2025

    Dr. Keator is wonderful. We are very thankful for her care.

  • March 18, 2025

    The offices are very nice and clean. Staff is friendly and efficient. We felt very welcome and are appreciative of everyone who cared for us.

  • March 01, 2025

    Everything was good!

  • March 01, 2025

    Dr Keator is empathetic and takes so much time with [...]. She answers our questions without rushing us. We appreciate her excellent care!

  • February 04, 2025

    Dr. Keator is wonderful. She is always kind and easy to talk to. My child feels safe and comfortable and she does a great job explaining what is going on with her condition and the game plan moving forward!

Publications

Publications:
  • Bain, J. M., Thornburg, O., Pan, C., Rome-Martin, D., Boyle, L., Fan, X., Devinsky, O., Frye, R., Hamp, S., & Keator, C. G. (2021). Detailed clinical and psychological phenotype of the X-linked HNRNPH2-related neurodevelopmental disorder. Neurology Genetics, 7(1). (PubMed ID 33728377)
  • Grinspan, Z. M., Knupp, K. G., Patel, A. D., Yozawitz, E. G., Wusthoff, C. J., Wirrell, E., Valencia, I., Singhal, N. S., Nordli, D. R., Mytinger, J. R., Mitchell, W., Keator, C. G., Loddenkemper, T., Hussain, S. A., Harini, C., Gaillard, W. D., Fernandez, I. S., Coryell, J., Chu, C. J., Berg, A. T., & Shellhaas, R. A. (2021). Comparative effectiveness of initial treatment for infantile spasms in a contemporary US cohort. Neurology. (PubMed ID 34266919)
  • Keator, C. G. (2021). Epilepsy surgery is a viable treatment for Lennox Gastaut syndrome. Seminars in Pediatric Neurology, 38, 100894. (PubMed ID 34183143)
  • Grinspan, Z. M., Mytinger, J. R., Baumer, F. M., Ciliberto, M. A., Cohen, B. H., Dlugos, D. J., Harini, C., Hussain, S. A., Joshi, S. M., Keator, C. G., Knupp, K. G., McGoldrick, P. E., Nickels, K. C., Park, J. T., Pasupuleti, A., Patel, A. D., Pomeroy, S. L., Shahid, A. M., Shellhaas, R. A., Shrey, D. W., Singh, R. K., Wolf, S. M., Yozawitz, E. G., Yuskaitis, C. J., Waugh, J., Pearl, P. L., & Child Neurology Society (Practice Committee and Executive Board) and the Pediatric Epilepsy Research Consortium (Infantile Spasms Special Interest Group and Steering Committee). (2020). Crisis standard of care: Management of infantile spasms during COVID-19. Annals of Neurology. (PubMed ID 32445204)
  • Grinspan, Z. M., Mytinger, J. R., Baumer, F. M., Ciliberto, M. A., Cohen, B. H., Dlugos, D. J., Harini, C., Hussain, S. A., Joshi, S. M., Keator, C. G., Knupp, K. G., McGoldrick, P. E., Nickels, K. C., Park, J. T., Pasupuleti, A., Patel, A. D., Shahid, A. M., Shellhaas, R. A., Shrey, D. W., Singh, R. K., Wolf, S. M., Yozawitz, E. G., Yuskaitis, C. J., Waugh, J. L., & Pearl, P. L. (2020). Management of infantile spasms during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Child Neurology, 35(12), 828-834. (PubMed ID 32576057)
  • Berg, A. T., Wusthoff, C., Shellhaas, R. A., Loddenkemper, T., Grinspan, Z. M., Saneto, R. P., Knupp, K. G., Patel, A., Sullivan, J. E., Kossoff, E. H., Chu, C. J., Massey, S., Valencia, I., Keator, C. G., Wirrell, E. C., Coryell, J., Millichap, J. J., & Gaillard, W. D. (2019). Immediate outcomes in early life epilepsy: A contemporary account. Epilepsy & Behavior, 97, 44-50. (PubMed ID 31181428)
  • Grinspan, Z. M., Shellhaas, R. A., Coryell, J., Sullivan, J. E., Wirrell, E. C., Mytinger, J. R., Gaillard, W. D., Kossoff, E. H., Valencia, I., Knupp, K. G., Wusthoff, C., Keator, C. G., Ryan, N., Loddenkemper, T., Chu, C. J., Novotny, E. J., Jr, Millichap, J., & Berg, A. T. (2018). Comparative effectiveness of levetiracetam vs phenobarbital for infantile epilepsy. JAMA Pediatrics, 172(4), 352-360.
  • Berg, A. T., Chakravorty, S., Koh, S., Grinspan, Z. M., Shellhaas, R. A., Saneto, R. P., Wirrell, E. C., Coryell, J., Chu, C. J., Mytinger, J. R., Gaillard, W. D., Valencia, I., Knupp, K. G., Loddenkemper, T., Sullivan, J. E., Poduri, A., Millichap, J. J., Keator, C. G., Wusthoff, C., Ryan, N., Dobyns, W. B., & Hegde, M. (2018). Why West? Comparisons of clinical, genetic and molecular features of infants with and without spasms. PloS One, 13(3), e0193599. (PubMed ID 29518120)
  • Grinspan, Z. M., Shellhaas, R. A., Coryell, J., Sullivan, J. E., Wirrell, E. C., Mytinger, J. R., Gaillard, W. D., Kossoff, E. H., Valencia, I., Knupp, K. G., Wusthoff, C., Keator, C. G., Ryan, N., Loddenkemper, T., Chu, C. J., Novotny, E. J.,Jr, Millichap, J., & Berg, A. T. (2018). Comparative effectiveness of levetiracetam vs phenobarbital for infantile epilepsy. JAMA Pediatrics, 172(4), 352-360. (PubMed ID 29435578)
  • Berg, A. T., Coryell, J., Saneto, R. P., Grinspan, Z. M., Alexander, J. J., Kekis, M., Sullivan, J. E., Wirrell, E. C., Shellhaas, R. A., Mytinger, J. R., Gaillard, W. D., Kossoff, E. H., Valencia, I., Knupp, K. G., Wustoff, C., Keator, C. G., Dobyns, W. B., Ryan, N., Loddenkemper, T., Chu, C. J., Novotny, E. J. J., & Koh, S. (2017). Early life epilepsies and the emerging role of genetic testing. JAMA Pediatrics, 171(9), 863-871. (PubMed ID 28759667)
  • Demarest, S. T., Shellhaas, R. A., Gaillard, W. D., Keator, C. G., Nickels, K. C., Hussain, S. A., Loddenkemper, T., Patel, A. D., Saneto, R. P., Wirrell, E. C., Sanchez Fernandez, I., Chu, C. J., Grinspan, Z. M., Wusthoff, C. J., Joshi, S. M., Mohamed, I. S., Stafstrom, C. E., Stack, C. V., Yozawitz, E., Bluvstein, J. S., Singh, R. K., Knupp, K. G., & the Pediatric Epilepsy Research Consortium. (2017). The impact of hypsarrhythmia on infantile spasms treatment response: Observational cohort from the National Infantile Spasms Consortium. Epilepsia, 58(12), 2098-2103. (PubMed ID 29105055)
  • Perry, M. S., Bailey, L. J., Freedman, D., Donahue, D. J., Malik, S. I., Head, H. W., Keator, C. G., & Hernandez, A. W. (2017). Coregistration of multimodal imaging is associated with favourable two-year seizure outcome after paediatric epilepsy surgery. Epileptic Disorders : International Epilepsy Journal with Videotape, 19(1), 40-48. (PubMed ID 28287070)
  • Perry, M. S., Donahue, D. J., Malik, S. I., Keator, C. G., Hernandez, A. W., Reddy, R. K., Perkins, F. F.,Jr, Lee, M. R., & Clarke, D. F. (2017). Magnetic resonance imaging-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy as treatment for intractable insular epilepsy in children. Journal of Neurosurgery.Pediatrics, 20(6), 575-582. (PubMed ID: 29027866)
  • Keator, C. G. (2016). Book review: Color atlas of neurology. Journal of Child Neurology, 31(3), 397.
Abstracts:
  • Berg, A. T., Chakravorty, S., Koh, S., Hegde, M., Chu, C. J., Shellhaas, R., Wirrell, E. C., Loddenkemper, T., Grinspan, Z., Mytinger, J., Valencia, I., Knupp, K. G., Gaillard, W., Coryell, J., Novotny, E. J., Wusthoff, C., Kossoff, E., Sullivan, J., & Keator, C. G. (2017). Why West? Comparison of age and etiologic factors in infants who do and do not develop spasms. Paper presented at the 71st Annual Meeting of the American Epilepsy Society, AES. Washington, DC. December 1-5, 2017.
  • Chakravorty, S., Koh, S., Saneto, R., Mytinger, J., Valencia, I., Grinspan, Z., Coryell, J., Shellhaas, R., Knupp, K. G., Millichap, J. J., Wirrell, E. C., Loddenkemper, T., Gaillard, W. D., Chu, C. J., Sullivan, J., Keator, C. G., Wusthoff, C., Hegde, M., & Berg, A. T. (2017). Why West? Comparative analysis of genes and molecular pathways affected in infants who do and do not develop spasms. Paper presented at the 71st Annual Meeting of the American Epilepsy Society, AES. Washington, DC. December 1-5, 2017.
  • Grinspan, Z., Shellhaas, R., Coryell, J., Sullivan, J., Wirrell, E. C., Mytinger, J. R., Gaillard, W. D., Kossoff, E., Valencia, I., Knupp, K. G., Wusthoff, C., Keator, C. G., Ryan, N., Loddenkemper, T., Chu, C. J., Novotny, E. J., Millichap, J. J., & Berg, A. T. (2017). Superior effectiveness of levetiracetam over phenobarbital for infantile nonsyndromic epilepsy: A prospective multi-center observational study. Paper presented at the 71st Annual Meeting of the American Epilepsy Society, AES. Washington, DC. December 1-5, 2017.
  • Pope, A., Perry, M. S., Malik, S. I., Keator, C. G., Bailey, L. J., Shandley, S., Hernandez, A. W., & Donahue, D. J. (2017). Laser interstitial thermal therapy following failed resective epilepsy surgery. Paper presented at the 71st Annual Meeting of the American Epilepsy Society, AES. Washington, DC. December 1-5, 2017.
  • Shellhaas, R., Knupp, K. G., Patel, A., Sanchez-Fernandez, I., Loddenkemper, T., Coryell, J., Keator, C. G., Chu, C. J., Valencia, I., Berg, A. T., Mytinger, J., Hussain, S. A., Singhal, N., Mitchell, W., Norhli, D., Harini, C., Gaillard, W. D., Wusthoff, C., Yozawitz, E., Wirrell, E., & Grinspan, Z. (2017). Comparative effectiveness of ACTH versus other therapies for infantile spasms: Counterfactual calculations and potential effect of practice change. Paper presented at the 71st Annual Meeting of the American Epilepsy Society, AES. Washington, DC. December 1-5, 2017.
  • Berg, A. T., Gaillard, W., Grinspan, Z., Shellhaas, R. A., Patel, A. D., Keator, C. G., Valencia, I., Kossoff, E., Wirrell, E., Millichap, J. J., Knupp, K. G., Saneto, R. P., Loddenkemper, T., Sullivan, J., Wusthoff, C., Chu, C., Massey, S., & Coryell, J. (2016). Short-term seizure course and mortality in early life epilepsy. Paper presented at the 70th Annual Meeting of the American Epilepsy Society, AES. Houston, TX. December 2-6, 2016.
  • Clarke, D. F., Perry, M. S., Donahue, D. J., Titus, J. B., Perkiins, F., Keator, C. G., Nussbaum, N. L., Hernandez, A. W., Malik, S. I., Seery, L., & Lee, M. (2016). Thermal ablation of frontal lobe lesions. Paper presented at the 70th Annual Meeting of the American Epilepsy Society, AES. Houston, TX. December 2-6, 2016.
  • Perry, M. S., Keator, C. G., Bailey, L. J., Malik, S. I., & Hernandez, A. W. (2016). Predictors of total seizure number and duration of monitoring needed for presurgical localization in intractable epilepsy. Paper presented at the 70th Annual Meeting of the American Epilepsy Society, AES. Houston, TX. December 2-6, 2016.
  • Rao, C., Clarke, D. F., Perkins, F., Lee, M., Wasson, L., Seery, L., Hernandez, A. W., Malik, S. I., Keator, C. G., Donahue, D. J., & Perry, M. S. (2016). Outcomes of MRI-guided thermal ablation in non-lesional intractable childhood epilepsy. Paper presented at the 70th Annual Meeting of the American Epilepsy Society, AES. Houston, TX. December 2-6, 2016.
  • Taglialatel, M., Millichap, J. J., Miceli, F., De Maria, M., Keator, C. G., Joshi, N., Tran, B., Soldovieri, M. V., Ambrosino, P., Shashi, V., Mikati, M., & Cooper, E. (2016). Infantile spasms and encephalopathy without preceding neonatal seizures caused by KCNQ2 R198Q, a gain-of-function variant. Paper presented at the 70th Annual Meeting of the American Epilepsy Society, AES. Houston, TX. December 2-6, 2016.
  • Berg, A., Mytinger, J., Knupp, K. G., Shellhaas, R., Loddenkemper, T., Saneto, R., Gaillard, W. D., Sullivan, J., Grinspan, Z., Chu, C., Keator, C. G., Wusthoff, C., Coryell, J., Wirrell, E., Hartman, A., Ryan, N., Valencia, I., & Nordli, D. R. (2015). (2015). Clinical epidemiology of newly diagnosed early life epilepsy: Underlying causes and contributions from genetics. Paper presented at the 69th Annual Meeting of the American Epilepsy Society, AES. Philadelphia, PA. December 4-8, 2015.
  • Coryell, J., Nickels, K., Ryan, N., Leister, E., Berg, A., Nordli, D. R., Millichap, J., Joshi, S., Shellhaas, R., Dlugos, D., Mytinger, J. R., Gaillard, W., Keator, C. G., Loddenkemper, T., Sullivan, J., Zawadzki, L., Mitchell, W., Kumar, G., Dimitrios, A., Yozawitz, E., Joshi, C., Wusthoff, C. J., Wong-Kisiel, L., Hartman, A., Kossoff, E., Chu, C., Valencia, L. J., Jansen, L., Hussain, S., Wirrell, E., & Knupp, K. G. (2015). Etiology and development are not significant predictors of treatment response in infantile spasms. Paper presented at the 69th Annual Meeting of the American Epilepsy Society (AES). Philadelphia, PA. December 4-8, 2015.
  • Knupp, K. G., Leister, E., Ryan, N., Nickels, K., Coryell, J., Berg, A., Nordli, D. R., Millichap, J., Joshi, S., Shellhaas, R., Dlugos, D., Mytinger, J., Gaillard, W. D., Keator, C. G., Loddenkemper, T., Sullivan, J., Zawadzki, L., Mitchell, W., Kumar, G., Arkilo, D., Yozawitz, E., Joshi, C., Wusthoff, C., Wong-Kisiel, L., Hartman, A., Kossoff, E., Chu, C., Valencia, I., Jansen, L., Hussain, S., & Wirrell, E. (2015). Response to second medication trial for infantile spasms. Paper presented at the 69th Annual Meeting of the American Epilepsy Society (AES). Philadelphia, PA. December 4-8, 2015.
  • Millichap, J. J., Miceli, F., Tran, B., Keator, C. G., Joshi, N., Taglialatel, M., & Cooper, E. C. (2015). KCNQ2 p.Arg198Gln, a gain-of-function variant persenting recurrently as west syndrome without preceding neonatal seizures. Paper presented at the 69th Annual Meeting of the American Epilepsy Society (AES). Philadelphia, PA. December 4-8, 2015.
  • Nordli, D. R., Saneto, R., Hartman, A., Mytinger, J., Knupp, K. G., Joshi, S., Gaillard, W. D., Keator, C. G., Sullivan, J., Grinspan, Z., Chu, C., Wusthorr, C., Wirrell, E., Coryell, J., Vanlencia, I., Loddenkemper, T., Ryan, N., & Berg, A. (2015). Yield of routine metabolic diagnostic testing in the initial evaluation of early life epilepsies. Paper presented at the 69th Annual Meeting of the American Epilepsy Society (AES). Philadelphia, PA. December 4-8, 2015.
  • Shellhaas, R., Gaillard, W. D., Loddenkemper, T., Patel, A., Sullivan, J., Keator, C. G., Knupp, K. G., Chu, C., Grinspan, Z., Hartman, A., Wusthoff, C., Coryell, J., Wirrell, E., Novotny, E., Valencia, I., Ryan, N., Nordli, D. R., Camfield, C., Camfield, P., & Berg, A. (2015). Initial treatment for children <3 years with new-onset epilepsy has changed dramatically from 1977-2015 but remains largely empirical. Paper presented at the 69th Annual Meeting of the American Epilepsy Society (AES). Philadelphia, PA. December 4-8, 2015.
  • Freedman, D., Bailey, L. J., Hernandez, A. W., Malik, S. I., Keator, C. G., Donahue, D. J., & Perry, M. S. (2014). Impact of coregistered multimodal neuroimaging on pediatric epilepsy surgery planning and postoperative outcome. Paper presented at the 68th Annual Meeting of the American Epilepsy Society, AES. Seattle, WA. December 5-9, 2014.
  • Wirrell, E., Joshi, C., Shellhaas, R., Keator, C. G., Kumar, S., & Mitchell, W. (2014). Etiologies and yield of investigations for infantile spasms: Results of a US multicenter, prospective study. Paper presented at the 68th Annual Meeting of the American Epilepsy Society, AES 2014. Seattle, WA. December 5-9, 2014.
  • Zajac, J., Smith, E., Bailey, L. J., Hernandez, A. W., Malik, S. I., Donahue, D. J., Keator, C. G., & Perry, M. S. (2013). Palliative resective epilepsy surgery: The Cook Children's experience. Paper presented at the 67th American Epilepsy Society (AES) Annual Meeting. Washington, DC. December 6-10, 2013.
  • Keator, C. G., Arndt, D., Stence, N. V., O'Neill, B., Brooks-Kayal, A., & Chapman, K. E. (2012). Evolution of seizures on continuous video EEG in pediatric abusive head trauma. 66th Annual Meeting of the American Epilepsy Society, AES. San Diego, CA. November 29 - December 3, 2012
  • Keator, C. G., Bernard, T. J., Goldenberg, N. A., Manco- Johnson, M., & Knupp, K. G. (2010). Probability of developing epilepsy in pediatric arterial ischemic stroke. Paper presented at the 64th Annual Meeting of the American Epilepsy Society, AES and 3rd Biennial North American Regional Epilepsy Congress. San Antonio, TX. December 3-7, 2010.
  • Keator, C. G. (2008). Prevalence, treatments, and outcomes of antiphospholipid antibody positive-childhood arterial ischemic stroke: Findings from the Children's Hospital, Colorado cohort. 37th Annual Meeting of the Child Neurology Society. Santa Clara, CA. November 5-8, 2008.

Endowed Chair Recipient

Research: Lennox-Gastaut Comprehensive Care Center

Dr. Keator will establish a new standard of care for patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS). She and her comprehensive clinical team will capture data, monitor patients and identify patterns that will help with early identification of high-risk patients before LGS onset, enabling proactive evaluation and intervention. This program will establish natural history, biomarkers best practice for treatment, and be the first program in the country to target LGS in a comprehensive center.

Explore program

Education

  • Medical school:
  • University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
  • Residency:
  • University of Colorado at Denver
  • Board certifications:
  • American Board of Neurology
  • Special Qualifications: Child Neurology and Epilepsy

Affiliations

  • American Epilepsy Society, American Academy of Neurology,Cook Children's Physician Network

Recognitions

  • American Epilepsy Society Young Investigators Award (2012)
  • Mom Approved Top Doc (2015 and 2016)
  • Fort Worth Top Doctor (2016 and 2018)
  • 360 West Top Doc (2020 and 2021)

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