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A Model of Epileptogenesis in Rhinal Cortex-Hippocampus Organotypic Slice Cultures
Published on: March 18, 2021
Cortical epileptogenesis--Hughlings Jackson and his predecessors
1Department of Medicine (Royal Brisbane Hospital), Central Clinical School, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. M.Eadie@mailbox.uq.edu.au
Epilepsia
|June 15, 2007
Summary
Before John Hughlings Jackson, Samuel Wilks independently proposed in 1866 that the cerebral cortex causes epilepsy. Wilks's concept significantly influenced the early development of modern epileptology.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Medical History
Background:
- This study traces the concept of the cerebral cortex as the site of epileptogenesis prior to John Hughlings Jackson's seminal 1870 publication.
- It examines 19th-century English medical literature to understand the evolution of this idea.
Discussion:
- Richard Bright first suggested cortical epileptogenesis in 1831 and 1836.
- Robert Bentley Todd alluded to the concept in 1849.
- Samuel Wilks independently rediscovered and postulated cortical epileptogenesis in 1866.
Key Insights:
- Wilks's 1866 hypothesis on cortical epileptogenesis likely influenced John Thompson Dickson and John Hughlings Jackson.
- Jackson further developed these ideas, contributing significantly to modern epileptology.
Outlook:
- Samuel Wilks's contribution to the origins of modern epileptology may be more substantial than previously acknowledged.
- Further research into pre-Jacksonian literature can refine our understanding of epilepsy's historical conceptualization.
