MARIO GOZZANO: UNFORGETTABLE EEG-PIONEER AND EPILEPTOLOGIST
Abstract number :
1.028
Submission category :
Year :
2002
Submission ID :
64
Source :
www.aesnet.org
Presentation date :
12/7/2002 12:00:00 AM
Published date :
Dec 1, 2002, 06:00 AM
Authors :
Salvatore Mazza, Antonino Pavone, Ernst Niedermeyer. Neurology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy; Neurology, Garbaldi Hospital, Catania, Italy; Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
RATIONALE: Mario Gozzano[ssquote]s (1898-1986) principal EEG study (1935) work reveals amazing insight and foresight but -being published in Italian- has missed acceptance by EEG-Epilepsy historians.
METHODS: We have revisited Gozzano[ssquote]s essential EEG work based upon data acquired while working with Kornmueller in Berlin, using EEG equipment far superior to that of Hans Berger.
RESULTS: Gozzano[ssquote]s study of the rabbit[ssquote]s EEG is based upon strychninization of the cortex and shows single spikes as well as transition to ictal spikes -far ahead of his time. Flashes elicited single spikes from the strychninized visual cortex, thus anticipating a concept of evoked potentials -again, far ahead of his time.
With painful somatosensory stimuli, the sensory cortex showed fast and presumably also ultrafast activity resembling electrodecrement -another first.
CONCLUSIONS: Gozzano was a true EEG pioneer and visionary with profound understanding of epileptic basic mechanisms.