Effect of Anterior Two- Thirds Callosal Bisection Upon Bisymmetrical and Bisynchronous Generalized Convulsions Kindled from Amygdala in Epileptic Baboon, Papio papio

Development of the centrencephalic concept in the study of epilepsy was guided by extensive electrographic and clinical observations by the Montreal school, which excelled in excising the focal cortical area of epileptogenesis (Penfield and Jasper, 1954). This theory attempted to explain generalized seizures by postulating that an epileptogenic “focus” existed in a hypothetical network of neurons in the higher brainstem near the midline, having equal and close to-and-fro interconnections with widespread cerebral cortical areas of both hemispheres by virtue of its central location. Penfield and Jasper were careful to state that they did not envisage the “centrencephalon” in anatomical terms and they emphasized further the importance of cortico-subcortico-cortical interaction for electroclinical manifestations of generalized seizures. This theory was convenient and useful in explaining generalized 3/sec spike and wave discharges as well as for explaining the secondary bilateral synchrony frequently resulting from lateralized pathophysiology.