Ibn Sina’s contributions to epilepsy management: Innovations from the Islamic Golden Age

Abstract

The historical understanding of epilepsy has evolved from supernatural beliefs in ancient Mesopotamia to scientific interpretations in the Islamic Golden Age. While early civilizations viewed epilepsy as a divine affliction, Greek and Roman physicians, notably Hippocrates, proposed a cerebral origin. However, significant advancements emerged during the Islamic Golden Age (7th–15th centuries), particularly through the works of Al-Razi and Ibn Sina (980–1037 CE).

Ibn Sina, or Avicenna, synthesized Greek, Roman, and Islamic medical knowledge in The Canon of Medicine, offering a systematic classification of epilepsy. He distinguished between idiopathic and symptomatic epilepsy, attributing its causes to cerebral dysfunction and humoral imbalances. His detailed descriptions of seizures and their clinical presentations demonstrated remarkable clinical insight. Ibn Sina also introduced innovative diagnostic techniques and treatments, including bloodletting, dietary adjustments, herbal remedies, and physical therapies. He recommended medicinal plants such as Lavandula stoechas and Pimpinella anisum, reflecting an advanced pharmacological approach.

This paper explores Ibn Sina’s contributions to epileptology, highlighting how The Canon of Medicine structured a more refined understanding of epilepsy. His emphasis on empirical observation, rational classification, and comprehensive treatment influenced medical traditions in both the Islamic world and medieval Europe. By integrating and expanding upon prior theories, Ibn Sina laid the groundwork for future advancements in neurology. His pioneering work represents a crucial step in the evolution of epilepsy research, bridging ancient concepts with emerging medical sciences.