Considerations on the concept of epilepsy

This leading article is written bearing in mind the disparities between different texts and studies on epilepsy. These concern the concept and the definition of epilepsy, although there is now little disparity in the classification of crises and syndromes. We also consider the increasing tendency to include other disorders with their own names and characteristics within the concept of epilepsy. Many of these disorders are also characterized by mental retardation, dementia and neurological deterioration. This contributes to maintain the sombre, ominous concept implicit in the word 'epilepsy' for centuries and is a major factor in the social discrimination of people with epilepsy. We suggest a concept and definition of the disorder differentiating it from epileptic crises and other processes [REV NEUROL 1999; 28: 1159-61].