Volume 216, 2015, Pages 167–196
Music, Neurology, and Neuroscience: Historical Connections and Perspectives
Chapter 8 – Hector Berlioz and his Vesuvius: an analysis of historical evidence from an epileptological perspective
Abstract
The
epileptologically informed in-depth analysis of auto- and
heteroanamnestic historical sources supports the hypothesis that Hector
Berlioz (1803–1869) might have suffered from a photosensitive idiopathic
generalized epilepsy syndrome with absences, absence status, myoclonic
seizures, and bilateral tonic–clonic seizures. The study outlines the
possible influence of the composer's probable epilepsy on his literary
and musical oeuvre, including the Symphonie fantastique en cinq parties.
Keywords
- Hector Berlioz;
- epilepsy;
- absence;
- absence status;
- myoclonic seizure;
- bilateral tonic–clonic seizure;
- photosensitivity;
- generalized;
- Symphonie fantastique
- Corresponding author: Tel.:
+49-761-27050950; Fax:+49-761-27050080
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