No other neurological condition allows the same opportunities for an intracranial electrophysiological study of the human brain as epilepsy does. Epileptic surgery is designed to remove the epileptic focus from the human brain, thereby effecting either cure or substantial reduction of seizures in an individual with an otherwise intractable condition. Its use as a treatment modality dates from the late 19th century, and it has become a widely used treatment option throughout the world in the last 20-30 years. The complexity of epilepsy cases in surgical centres, and the need for invasive electrode studies for pre-surgical evaluation, are both greatly increasing. Invasive Studies of the Human Epileptic Brain is the definitive reference text on the use of invasive electroencephalographic (EEG) diagnostic studies in human epilepsy. Written by some of the most renowned epilepsy experts of the 20th and 21st centuries, the authors provide their expertise and insights into the identification and mapping of intracranial epileptiform and non-epileptiform activity, mapping of the human brain function, and approaches in the use of invasive electroencephalography in a variety of clinical situations. The book is organized into an easily readable series of chapters and is brilliantly illustrated with case studies; each providing an intuitively comprehensive approach to invasive brain studies.

Over 12 million people with epilepsy have seizures that cannot be controlled by antiepileptic drugs. The term "drug-resistance" is abundantly used in the epilepsy literature but the definitions proposed differ considerably. It is used indifferently in a number of different settings: as a criterion for selection of patients eligible for new antiepileptic drug trials, for the selection of surgical candidates, for the design of epidemiological studies, for the design of studies on quality of life, for the definition of the epileptic encephalopathies (in comparison to more benign epilepsy syndromes), to mention but a few. As a result, available studies are usually not comparable and referral to epilepsy specialists is unacceptably delayed. The volume includes several focused chapters on all issues relating to drug-resistance and offers the basis for a consensus on a clinically meaningful core definition.

The role of the insular cortex in epilepsy has been largely neglected until very recently. With growing interest in insular epilepsies, this book provides unique, in-depth coverage of the condition from childhood to adulthood. Detailed description of the anatomy, vascularization, connectivity, and functions of the insula along with complete description of the semiology, neurophysiology, and neuroimaging of insular epilepsy helps clinicians better recognize the condition. Up-to-date treatment avenues are explored, guiding the management of patients, including drug-resistant cases suitable for neurosurgery. Authors come from a range of backgrounds, providing a multidisciplinary perspective essential to all health professionals involved in epilepsy diagnosis and treatment. A scratch-off code in the inside cover allow users access to an online equivalent of the book, featuring videos illustrating the semiology of the various forms of insular seizures. This authoritative overview provides clinicians with the necessary information to treat this under-recognized condition.

Having appeared in the 1930s in Montreal, standardised neuropsychological evaluation has become an essential tool in the clinical diagnosis and evaluation of surgical epileptic patients. Nevertheless, despite great progress over the last 20 to 30 years in the diagnosis and medical treatment of epilepsy, clinical neuropsychology still remains largely associated with surgical epilepsy, particularly surgery of the temporal lobe. Clinical neurology has still not managed to clear a way in the daily practice with patients with all types of epilepsy despite significant advances in cognitive neuroscience and a large number of clinical studies on epilepsy and cognition. How is it that there are only rarely major advances in the field of clinical neuropsychology? It has long been time for this question to be asked, and for an attempt to be made to bring about changes. This was the aim of the Toronto workshop and the result of this book. Every approach was debated, providing important elements to reflect on and allowing a great forum for exchanges. This book includes the communications from the main participants and comments from some others on specific subjects.

Book & DVD. With its many colour illustrations, this book provides a valuable overview of this fascinating discipline. Stereotaxy is a neurosurgical technique which consists in using the co-ordinates obtained by placing electrodes in a patient's brain to "map" in precise detail the part of the brain causing a particular disease, providing the neurosurgeon with the detailed information required for a more targeted surgical intervention. The book first provides background information on stereotaxy, discussing the methods and techniques used in stereotaxy applied to epilepsy surgery. Its many illustrations of surgical interventions and of the materials and methods used when implanting the electrodes give the reader a very clear view of the sequence of events involved. This is a true guide to stereotaxy and neurosurgery. The DVD features video sequences and 51 clinical cases!