Epilepsy and Neurosurgery: Historical Highlights

Current Pharmaceutical Design
M KaramanouGeorge Androutsos

Abstract

Epilepsy has been known since antiquity and trepanation has been documented as a therapeutic option. The Greek born physician Aretaeus of Cappadocia (2nd century BC) was the first to recommend trepanation for the treatment of refractory epilepsy to drugs, pointing out the efficacy of the method (Fig. 1). Trepanation was practiced throughout the Middle Ages, as it is proved by the book of "Quattuor Magistri" and during Renaissance as well. In 19th century, Sir Victor Alexander Horsley (1857-1916), combining analysis of clinical presentation with cortical stimulation, performed a series of craniotomies for the treatment of epilepsy Fig. 2. In the following years the advent of electrophysiology and neurosurgery provided a fertile ground for further progress in epilepsy surgery such as the preoperative use of electroencephalography (EEG) to determine the epileptogenic zone by Otfrid Foerster (1873-1941); the research of Wilder Graves Penfield (1891-1976) in Montreal Neurological Institute and the use of stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) by the neurosurgeon Jean Talairach (1911-2007) and the neurologist Jean Bancaud (1921-1994)) Fig. 3. Nowadays, epilepsy surgery remains a valuable therapeutic option in cases of drug resistant epi...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

Revista de medicină internă, neurologie, psihiatrie, neurochirurgie, dermato-venerologie. Neurologie, psihiatrie, neurochirurgie
A V Ciurea
Clinical Anatomy : Official Journal of the American Association of Clinical Anatomists & the British Association of Clinical Anatomists
Joel A Vilensky
Medicine Illustrated
F N L POYNTER
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved