Epilepsy

Comprehensive, cutting-edge guide to adult epilepsy from the renowned Queen Square specialists Epilepsy: A Queen Square Textbook delivers an authoritative and up-to-date overview of the causes, consequences, diagnosis, and treatment of epilepsy in adults. Written by the distinguished Queen Square Epilepsy group, this complete resource synthesises the relevant evidence and applies the latest knowledge to clinical practice, with points of practical importance highlighted throughout. This essential reference covers: Fundamental aspects: The neurosciences of epilepsy and epileptogenesis, neurophysiology, medical imaging, epidemiology, genetics and the spectrum of epileptic seizures and epilepsies Clinical management: Diagnosis, medical and surgical treatment, neuropsychology, non-pharmacological therapies, status epilepticus, reproduction, epilepsy in older people, sleep, and neurodegeneration Current challenges: Psychiatric and somatic comorbidities, sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), functional dissociative seizures, driving and the law Contemporary issues and emerging technologies: Climate change impacts, the role of artificial intelligence in diagnosis and treatment, and future perspectives in epilepsy management Epilepsy: A Queen Square Textbook is an indispensable resource for healthcare professionals involved in epilepsy care and research, including neurologists, nurses, neuroscientists, and psychologists—from trainees through to established specialists.

About the Editors vii List of Contributors ix Forewords xi Preface xiv Acknowledgements xvi 1 What Is Epilepsy? 1 2 Epidemiology and Natural History 6 3 The Spectrum of Seizures and Epilepsies 14 4 Risk Factors for Epilepsy 31 5 Genetics of Epilepsy 43 6 Neuroscience of Epilepsy 50 7 Neurophysiology 60 8 Neuroimaging 77 9 The Role of Neuropsychology in the Management of People with Epilepsy 95 10 First Seizure Clinic, Differential Diagnosis 104 11 Medical Treatment 112 12 Dietary, Psychological and Complementary Therapies 147 13 Epilepsy in the Acute Medical Unit 151 14 Status Epilepticus 159 15 Epilepsy Surgery 167 16 Epilepsy and Reproduction 183 17 Epilepsy in Later Life 193 18 Sleep and Epilepsy 199 19 Epilepsy, Driving, and the Law 206 20 Climate Change and Epilepsy 215 21 Premature Mortality and Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy 219 22 Epilepsy and Neurodegeneration 225 23 Neuropsychiatric Aspects of Epilepsy 235 24 Functional Dissociative Seizures 241 25 Big Data and Artificial Intelligence 252 26 Future Perspectives for Epilepsy 266 Index 274