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The neurophilosophy of epileptic experiences

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 June 2014

Francesco Monaco ,
Marco Mula  and
Andrea E. Cavanna
Francesco Monaco
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, Amedeo Avogadro University, Novara, Italy
Marco Mula
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, Amedeo Avogadro University, Novara, Italy
Andrea E. Cavanna
Affiliation:
Department of Neuropsychiatry, Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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Extract

Monaco F, Mula M, Cavanna AE. The neurophilosophy of epileptic experiences.

Background: Specific alterations of consciousness have a central role in the phenomenological description of epileptic seizures and in the patient's subjective reports.

Methods: This article discusses the use of philosophical methodology within a neurological framework to understand consciousness.

Results: How the alterations in consciousness are experienced by patients with epilepsy depends largely on the localization of the underlying neurophysiological dysfuntion.

Discussion: Rigorous conceptual analysis of ictal experience reports can help to illuminate the study of consciousness.

Keywords

amygdalaepilepsypsychiatric disorderstemporal lobe
Type
Research Article
Information
Acta Neuropsychiatrica , Volume 23 , Issue 4 , August 2011 , pp. 184 - 187
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

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