The advent of epilepsy directed neurosurgery: the early pioneers and who was first

Bone, I. and Stone, J. L. (2023) The advent of epilepsy directed neurosurgery: the early pioneers and who was first. Journal of the History of the Neurosciences, 32(4), pp. 470-490. (doi: 10.1080/0964704X.2023.2207598) (PMID:37199685)

Abstract

Efforts to treat epileptic seizures likely date back to primitive, manmade skull openings or trephinations at the site of previous scalp or skull injuries. The purpose may have been the release of “evil spirits,” removal of “cerebral excitement,” and “restoral of bodily and intellectual functions.” With progressive discoveries in brain function over the past 100 to 300 years, the cerebral cortical locations enabling voluntary movements, sensation, and speech have been well delineated. The locations of these functions have become surgical targets for the amelioration of disease processes. Disease entities in particular cerebral-cortical areas may predispose to the onset of focal and or generalized seizures, which secondarily interfere with normal cortical functioning. Modern neuroimaging and electroencephalography usually delineate the location of seizures and often the type of structural pathology. If noneloquent brain regions are involved, open surgical biopsy or removal of only abnormal tissue may be undertaken successfully. A number of the early neurosurgical pioneers in the development of epilepsy surgery are credited and discussed in this article.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Bone, Professor Ian
• Authors: Bone, I., and Stone, J. L.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
• Journal Name: Journal of the History of the Neurosciences
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• ISSN: 0964-704X
• ISSN (Online): 1744-5213
• Published Online: 18 May 2023
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Journal of the History of the Neurosciences 32(4):470-490
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License