The End of Epilepsy? A history of the modern era of epilepsy research 1860-2010

Epilepsy is more than just a physical condition; it has cultural, geographic, and historical significance which course deeper than the status of neurological entity, and which defy a single perspective. The End of Epilepsy? is a beautifully illustrated, authoritative, and engaging history of medical developments during the 'modern era' of epilepsy, which began with the introduction of Bromides and Hughlings-Jackson's definition of epilepsy in 1860.

This thought-provoking book comprehensively covers the various classification theories that have been developed over the past 150 years. It explores the technological advances, and the different management techniques, such as drugs and surgical interventions, which have been applied to epilepsy up to the present day.

By presenting an overview of the advances, improvements, and issues that have clouded medical, social, and political progress since the condition was defined, the authors critically examine ongoing research into new treatments for epilepsy. The book also explores the application of current and future clinical studies, and provides an insight into the complex underpinnings of scientific and medical practice.

Dieter Schmidt, Emeritus Profess of Neurology; and Head of Epilepsy Research Group Berlin, Humboldt University Berlin; and Epilepsy Research Group Berlin,Simon Shorvon, Emeritus Profess of Neurology and Consultant Neurologist, Institute of Neurology, University College London; and National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London

Dieter Schmidt is a medical academic who specialised in the field of epilepsy, has run a university hospital with a special large clinical epilepsy service and has carried out extensive clinical research. He has held the position of Chair of the Department of Clinical Neurology at Charite Clinic, Humboldt University, Berlin, previously Free University of Berlin. He currently is founding Co-Editor-in-Chief of Epilepsia Open, an official journal of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE). He has received several awards, including the 1983 Ambassador award of the ILAE, the Hauptmann Award of the German League of ILAE, and is honorary member of the Mexican League of ILAE. He has published extensively in the field of epilepsy.

Simon Shorvon is a medical academic who specialised in the field of epilepsy, has run a large clinical epilepsy service and has carried out extensive clinical research. He has held the position of Chair of the Department of Clinical Neurology at UC, and Medical Directorship of the National Society for Epilepsy. He served on the international executive committee of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) for 20 years, and held the positions of ILAE Vice-President, co-Editor-in-Chief of EPILEPSIA and President of ILAE British Branch. He has received a number of awards, including 2008 European Epileptology Award and 2010 Lennox Prize of the American Epilepsy Society, and 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award of the ILAE British Branch. He has published extensively in the field of epilepsy.

1. What is epilepsy?
2. Attitudes
3. The pharmaceutical phoenix rises
4. Modern blockbusters
5. Resecting epilepsy
6. The dark side of epilepsy
7. Culs-de-sac and bureaucracies
8. Is the end of epilepsy in sight?
Appendix 1: Dating epilepsy
Index