Understanding Epilepsy: from sacrifices and exorcism to cannabis and human brain in a dish

Event is postponed.

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders and has been known throughout most of recorded history. Over the last 150 years, our understanding of its nature has shifted from the work of supernatural powers to an organic disturbance of brain function. Roland will briefly trace the history of the disorder and its treatment. Roland will also discuss how much of our recent knowledge of epilepsy has depended on research on using animal models of the disorder, but how we are moving towards the use of living human brain tissue to gain more understanding of causes in man. Finally, Roland will look at current antiepileptic drugs and how these could be supplemented by alternative treatments.