Ellen R. Grass Lecture: Present at the Beginning: Ellen Grass and the Evolution of Modern Concepts Regarding EEG and Epilepsy

ABSTRACT.

Ellen Grass was a remarkable woman whose efforts on behalf of neurophysiology, epilepsy, and physiological technology contributed importantly to the development of neuroscience in the United States during the middle third of the 20th century. She initially provided an important link between a remarkable group of Harvard physiologists and her husband, Albert, a brilliant engineer whose innovative equipment played a critical role in accelerating advances in neurophysiology and, later, EEG and epilepsy. Mrs. Grass herself observed and personally facilitated much of the clinical and basic neuroscience research during this period, when the modern framework for a scientific understanding of epilepsy and EEG was established. She also supported the development of professional societies relevant to these areas, including ASET, the American EEG Society, the American Epilepsy Society, and the Epilepsy Foundation of America.

KEY WORDS.:

• EEG
• Ellen Grass
• epilepsy
• neurophysiology
• neuroscience