Although considerable information on cellular and network mechanisms of epilepsy exists, it is still not understood why, how, and when the transition from interictal to ictal state takes place. The authors review their work on nonlinear EEG analysis and provide consistent evidences that dynamical changes in the neural activity allows the characterization of a preictal state several minutes before seizure onset. This new neurodynamical approach of ictogenesis opens new perspectives for studying the basic mechanisms in epilepsy as well as for possible therapeutic interventions.

Key words: EEG, ictogenesis, nonlinear analysis, seizure anticipation, synchronization

The purpose of this paper is to show through the concrete example of epileptic seizure anticipation how neuro-dynamic analysis (using new mathematical tools to detect the dynamic structure of the neuro-electric activity of the brain) and ‘‘pheno-dynamic’’ analysis (using new interview techniques to detect the pre-reflective dynamic micro-structure of the cor- responding subjective experience) may guide and determine each other. We will show that this dynamic approach to epi- leptic seizure makes it possible to consolidate the foundations of a cognitive non pharmacological therapy of epilepsy. We will also show through this example how the neuro-phenomenological co-determination could shed new light on the dif- ficult problem of the ‘‘gap’’ which separates subjective experience from neurophysiological activity.

Key words: Cognitive therapy of epilepsy, epileptic seizure anticipation, ictogenesis, explanatory gap, lived experience, micro-genesis, neuro-phenomenology, phenomenology, pre-reflective experience, subjective experience, synchrony analysis