Proposal for an International Classification of the Epilepsies

On 19 July, 1968, the World Health Organization informed its experts who were working on a glossary of terms used in epileptology, of its wish that an International Classification of the Epilepsies be published to supplement the International Classification of Epileptic Seizures already established by the Commission on Terminology of the International League against Epilepsy. Since the International League against Epilepsy had for several years expressed the same wish, the Secretary General of the International League and expert epileptologist of the WHO, Dr. H. Gastaut, considered it logical to ask the members of the above mentioned Commission on Terminology to prepare a draft of an International Classification of the Epilepsies, to be submitted for discussion at the quadrennial meeting of the League in New York on 27 September, 1969. ’ He proceeded in the same way as had been used in preparing the International Classification of Epileptic Seizures; that is to say he prepared a draft Classification of the Epilepsies which was submitted in August and November, 1968, to all the officers of the League and to the members of its Commission on Terminology and to the experts of the World Federation of Neurology and the International Federation of Societies for Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology attached to this Commission. As it appeared to be impossible to call a meeting of the Commission on Terminology at a sufficiently early date, Prof. Gastaut decided to submit to the New York meeting his draft (which with some reservations was approved by one-third of the members of the Commission on Terminology), together with the criticisms made. Epilepsia has kindly undertaken to publish these documents in advance as a Supplement in order to facilitate a discussion (10: S14-S21). In the same Supplement, comments on the Classification of Epilepsy and a simplified Classification by Prof. R. L. Masland have been published (S22-S28). Preceeding the New York Congress the president of the International League against Epilepsy, Dr. J. K. Merlis, convened a meeting of a group of specialists inclyding.representatives of the World Federation of Neurology, the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies, the International League against Epilepsy and the International Federation of Societies for Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology . Discussions of these proposals during a full day and at a meeting of a subcommittee a few days later led to consensus on a Proposal for a classification of; the Epilepsies. This proposal was presented to the General Assembly by Dr. Merlis with the following Introduction.