title: The history of the concept of epileptic encephalopathy.
abstract: The first description of epileptic encephalopathies dates back to Dr. West who, in 1857, described the syndrome that took his name. In addition to West syndrome, in the last century other epileptic syndromes entered into the chapter of epileptic encephalopathies. Henry Gastaut has the virtue of having created the modern concept of epileptic encephalopathy and entering it into the official terminology of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE). After the first proposal, it was further defined and refined over time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child Neuropsychiatry, Epilepsy Center, C. Poma Hospital, Mantua, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Capovilla
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Beccaria
authors.forename: Giuliano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Avanzini
mesh_terms: D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000266:history* / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000266:history* / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D013036:Spasms, Infantile / Q000266:history / Q000523:psychology
keywords: Classification; Epilepsy; Epileptic encephalopathy; Terminology