The twentieth century has seen extensive research in this field: in-depth studies of the life history of the patients; finer neuropathological, neurophysiological, and biochemical correlations; the use of electroencephalography in diagnosis and in studying, in a concomitant way, relationship between seizure discharges and psychological functions; neuropsychological tests of increasing sophistication in delineating specific brain dysfunctions; antiepileptic drugs with increasing knowledge of their effects on seizures and mental functions correlated with blood levels; and, finally, the combined approaches of both medical-pharmacological and psychological-social management in the treatment of many epileptic patients, leading to rehabilitation and placement in an effective role in society. (116 pp.)