This comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to epilepsy compares and contrasts scientific knowledge, clinical experience and social consciousness between Western and non-Western cultures, enhancing transcultural understanding and providing a paradigm for an integrative, truly global health policy for this disorder. Topics covered include pharmacological and non-pharmacological management of epilepsy; care models and traditional medical systems; service organization in resource-limited countries; cultural perspectives on consequences of epilepsy; social, anthropological, economic, political, and spiritual issues related to living with epilepsy; infectious and non-infectious causes and risk-factors; region-specific syndromes. Uniquely drawing attention to both a medical perspective and the burden of living with epilepsy, this is a must-have reference work for epileptologists, neurologists, epidemiologists, medical policymakers and health administrators in both the developed and developing world. Includes a comprehensive section on complementary and alternative treatment methods of epilepsy, balanced against allopathic treatment and surgical models Written by expert clinicians representing the continents of Africa, Asia, South America, and the Western world Outlines research priorities for low- and middle-income countries (LAMICs).