Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2001 Jul; 25(5): 455-61.

History of epilepsy in Medieval Iranian medicine.

Gorji A, Khaleghi Ghadiri M.

Institut für Physiologie, Universität Münster, Robert-Koch-Strasse 27a, 48149 Münster, Germany. gorgia1@uni-muenster.de

The history of epilepsy in Medieval Persian medicine is not well-known in the Western world. This article presents the clinical approaches according to which Medieval Iranian practitioners viewed epilepsy and dealt with its problems. The clinical viewpoints of epilepsy are collected from Medieval Persian scientific references. These describe clinical manifestations, basic mechanisms, etiologies, treatment and prognosis. Medieval Iranian practitioners provide detailed clinical information on epilepsy. They mention various forms and symptoms of epilepsy and its apparent causes and offer dietary and hygienic rules, as well as a long list of pharmacologic compounds for treating it. Their findings about epilepsy are very accurate and vivid and many of them are accepted even today.