The presentation of our research at the International Epilepsy Congress in Rome on August 29, 2011 went very well. It was exciting to present a summary of the study of the influences of epilepsy in visual art to some of the most important people in the treatment, research, and services provided for people with epilepsy from around the world. The conference had about 4,000 to 4,500 people in attendance, including people with epilepsy who are not doctors, researchers, or service providers. The title of my presentation was "Can epilepsy enhance or release creativity in visual art?" Steve Schachter from Harvard Medical School presented his studies on "Insights into Epilepsy from Contemporary Artists" prior to my talk. It was effective and fun to team up with him for the research session on epilepsy and art.
My presentation, which provided proof that focal epilepsy can in some circumstances enhance creative potential, was very well received. Notice of when the results will be published will be presented at a later date.
I want to again thank all the more than 100 artists with epilepsy and/or migraines and their family members who participated in this study.
My next presentations will be at Transylvania University in Lexington, KY and possibly Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA in December of 2011.
Jim Chambliss
(Pictured above, from left to right, are Simon Vogrin, Steven Schachter, and Jim Chambliss.)
