AbstractsBiology & Animal Science

A study of epileptogenic lesions of the brain.

by William Henry. Bridgers




Institution: McGill University
Department: Department of neurosurgery.
Degree: MS.
Year: 1941
Keywords: Neurosurgery.
Record ID: 1539944
Full text PDF: http://digitool.library.mcgill.ca/thesisfile129629.pdf


Abstract

[...] A further study of epileptogenic foci was undertaken at the suggestion of Doctor Wilder Penfield, who has contributed numerous worthy investigations and observations in the study of epilepsy which have greatly increased our understanding of the disease process. It was originally planned to compare epileptogenic with non-epileptogenic lesions particularly in reference to the presence or absence of evidence of progressive tissue destruction. In the course of this study, however, new observations were made in epileptogenic foci, and these are submitted as further pathological alterations in epileptogenic lesions. A comparative study of epileptogenic with non-epileptogenic cicatrices referable to the presence of progressive tissue destruction comprises the remaining thesis. A review of the literature on the pathology of epilepsy has been made and the reports considered noteworthy are presented. An attempt has been made to limit this review to reports concerning only the pathology of epilepsy. However, such a limitation has been found to be difficult in view of the close relationship existing between the pathology and physiology involved in epilepsy. It is hoped that the findings presented in this thesis will stimulate further work in regard to the long-concealed mechanism of the production of seizures. [...]