title: A dialogue with historical concepts of epilepsy from the Babylonians to Hughlings Jackson: persistent beliefs.
abstract: Epilepsy is one of the few neurological disorders to be recognized in Antiquity. The etiology of epilepsy has evolved from affliction of evil spirits and bad omens to an organic disease of the brain. Geographically separate cultures have recognized the diverse symptomatology of epilepsy from vigorous convulsions to spontaneous localized jerking since times immemorial. Similarly, the diagnostic procedures and treatment options have varied in different milieus. In this review we have followed the course of history chronologically from Babylonians to Hughlings Jackson, mapping the conceptual development of epilepsy and the origin of some of the positive and negative attitudes inherited into today's epileptology. Original writings, such as Hughlings Jackson's letters, and English translations of early Latin work, where available, were used as primary sources of information. Where primary sources were not accessible, we consulted research articles, books, and commentaries by eminent historians and epileptologists.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK.
authors.forename: Umair J
authors.initials: UJ
authors.lastname: Chaudhary
authors.forename: John S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.forename: Louis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lemieux
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D003469:Culture; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000266:history* / Q000628:therapy; D049668:History, 15th Century; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D009462:Neurology / Q000266:history; D009626:Terminology as Topic