Meet the editor

Professor Marco Carotenuto obtained a master's degree in medicine and surgery at the University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Italy, in 2000. He became a specialist in child neuropsychiatry in 2005 after a long period of training in the United Kingdom. He also obtained a Ph.D. in Behavioral Sciences and Learning Disorders in 2008. In 2018, after further training at prestigious Italian research centers to delve deeper into diag-

nostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitative issues in developmental age, Dr. Carotenuto became Professor of Child Neuropsychiatry and Director of the Child Neuropsychiatry Unit at the University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli." Since 2022, he has been the president of the National Commission for Neurotherapy and Psychomotor Therapy in Developmental Age (TNPEE). Since 2022, he has been Director of the School of Specialization in Child Neuropsychiatry, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli." Dr. Carotenuto has authored more than 200 scientific journal articles. His main areas of research interest include the diagnostic evaluation and therapeutic management of neurodevelopmental disorders with particular attention to childhood autism, sleep disorders, pediatric headaches and epilepsies, and neurocognitive and behavioral rehabilitation in children.

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Preface

Epilepsy is the most frequent neurological pathology in the world and affects individuals of all ages with important effects on neurodevelopment and cognitive and behavioral skills. Despite increasing prevalence and knowledge of the disease, epilepsy is still strongly burdened by social stigma. Treating epileptic pathology is possible thanks to the numerous and various therapeutic techniques now available,

The disease affects about 65 million people globally, 80% of whom live in developing countries. The management of epilepsy generally involves antiseizure drugs or surgery for those patients who are candidates. There are also numerous other therapeutic options to support drug therapy such as a ketogenic diet or stimulation of the vagus

Epilepsy has always been cloaked by a mysterious aura. Since ancient times, cultures and civilizations have attempted to understand why a person may appear normal and then suddenly present with intense and uncontrollable convulsions. The first hypoth-

Mesopotamian. It describes a patient who has wide eyes and hands, tense feet, and a lack of consciousness. The text attributes the symptoms to the "hand of sin." In 1790 BC, the Hammurabi code listed a "return clause" for slaves who were purchased and subsequently found to experience epileptic crises. The clause was presumably written due to the fear about the cause of the disease. About 700 years after the Hammurabi code was decreed, a Babylonian text outlined a spiritual solution for epileptic patients

The modern opinion that the etiology of epilepsy is physiological and not divine has its roots largely in the studies of Hippocrates of Kos of 400 BC, who argues that the etiology of epilepsy is precisely similar to that of any other disease, that is, based on physiological principles. This debate between divine and physiological causes would

Epilepsy is not curable but can be commonly controlled with modern anticonvulsants that prevent convulsions or reduce their intensity. However, more than 30% of people with epilepsy have uncontrolled convulsions even with the best drugs available. Throughout history, epilepsy was viewed with amazement, and uncontrollable convulsions were often attributed to the influence of spirits. It is thought that people in the Stone Age drilled into the skull to dissipate demons. In ancient Greek Hippocratic thought, convulsions were sometimes interpreted as a sign of a person possessing prophetic skills. Early Christian and medieval belief was that epilepsy was a punishment from God, and in early modern times epilepsy was viewed according to the concepts

Among the oldest texts is one dating back to about 2000 BC written by a

many of which do not involve the use of drugs.

nerve, in addition to neuromodulation techniques.

esis indicated a spiritual cause.

said to be possessed by evil spirits.

continue for another 2000 years.
