About 20% of people with epilepsy have seizures which are resistant to anticonvulsant medications. These drug-resistant seizures are called intractable', and the patients who have them - about 1 in 500 of the general population - present a major challenge to neurologists and epilepsy associations. The present volume describes the symptomatology of the major intractable' syndromes, the most appropriate drugs for each, and the possibilities for surgical control. Research related to the causes and effects of unchecked seizures is presented, and new directions in prevention and therapy are discussed.

About 20% of people with epilepsy have seizures which are resistant to anticonvulsant medications. These drug-resistant seizures are called intractable', and the patients who have them - about 1 in 500 of the general population - present a major challenge to neurologists and epilepsy associations. The present volume describes the symptomatology of the major intractable' syndromes, the most appropriate drugs for each, and the possibilities for surgical control. Research related to the causes and effects of unchecked seizures is presented, and new directions in prevention and therapy are discussed.