The Causes of Epilepsy: Common and Uncommon Causes in Adults and Children

Causation is an aspect of epilepsy neglected in the scientific literature and in the conceptualization of epilepsy at a clinical and experimental level. It was to remedy this deficiency that this book was conceived. The book opens with a draft etiological classification that goes some way to filling the nosological void. The book is divided into four etiological categories: idiopathic, symptomatic, cryptogenic, and provoked epilepsies. Each chapter considers topics in a consistent fashion, dealing with the phenomenon of epilepsy in each etiology, including its epidemiology, clinical features and prognosis, and any specific aspects of treatment. The book is a comprehensive reference work, a catalogue of all important causes of epilepsy, and a clinical tool for all clinicians dealing with patients who have epilepsy. It is aimed at epileptologists and neurologists and provides a distillation of knowledge in a form that is helpful in the clinical setting.

Table of Contents:
Part I. Introduction; Part II. Idiopathic Epilepsy; Part III. Symptomatic Epilepsy; Part IV. Provoked Epilepsies; Part V. Status Epilepticus.

About the Author :
Simon D. Shorvon MA MD FRCP is Professor in Clinical Neurology at the UCL Institute of Neurology, University College London, and Consultant Neurologist at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK. Frederick Andermann OC MD FRCPC is a Professor in the Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery and Pediatrics at McGill University, and Director of the Epilepsy Service at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Renzo Guerrini MD is Professor of Child Neurology and Psychiatry at the University of Florence, and Director of the Pediatric Neurology Unit and Laboratories at the Children's Hospital A. Meyer, Florence, Italy.

Review :
'… really very good. I am not aware of anything else that deals with the causes of epilepsy as succinctly and is as well organised and user friendly. This is the sort of book that one would dip into when faced with a particularly interesting or problematic case … should be on the bookshelf of everyone who investigates and manages people with epilepsy.' Professor Martin J. Brodie, Director, Epilepsy Unit, Western Infirmary, Glasgow 'Most of the authors are world experts on the subjects, and I admire the energy and professional network required to assemble this impressive work … it will have a huge impact.' The Lancet Neurology '… extremely comprehensive … fills a significant void in the epilepsy literature … The chapters are well written and address both basic pathogenic mechanisms and clinical diagnosis and management … This book fills a unique niche in the field of epileptology: it is the first to carefully and concisely address the varied etiologies. It is a very readable and comprehensive book that will be valued both by practising clinicians and by trainees and basic neuroscientists. It is an essential resource and should be on the bookshelf of any clinician caring for persons with epilepsy worldwide.' Epilepsy and Behavior