Epilepsy Research Report

Epilepsy Research Report

Contents

  • Appendices
    • Appendix A – The Cayce Readings on the Abdominal Cold Spot in Epilepsy
    • Appendix B – Case Study Series (Adobe Acrobat, 521kb)
    • Appendix C – Infrared Control Group Images (Adobe Acrobat, 8.95mb – note: large file)
    • Appendix D – Infrared Epilepsy Group Images (Adobe Acrobat, 1.16mb)
    • Appendix E – Research Data Forms (Adobe Acrobat, 483kb)
    • Appendix F – Conceptual Issues

Abstract

This report documents the process and outcomes of an epilepsy research program begun in 1992 by Meridian Institute.  The research has focused on information provided by Edgar Cayce with a primary focus on the pathophysiology of the disorder.  Thus far the program has gone through three stages: 1) background research and literature review; 2) liquid crystal thermography (LCT) measurements; and 3) infrared thermography (IT).  Early results using LCT to confirm the presence of a hypothesized cold spot on the right side of the abdomen in epilepsy patients were promising, although some variability was noted.  More extensive follow-up with IT did not support the hypothesis, perhaps due to the necessity of the thermography sessions being in close temporal relation to seizure activity.  A discussion focusing on the challenges of researching Cayce’s approach is provided that includes suggestions for future studies.

Background

Overview of Epilepsy

Epilepsy is not a single disease, but rather to a group of symptoms with numerous causes.  The common factor in all forms of epilepsy is an excessive electrical excitability of the brain resulting in a “seizure.”  There are many kinds of seizures that can affect almost any part of the body.  Seizures also tend to alter consciousness in various ways, such as altered perception and loss of consciousness.   The muscles of the body may become rigid or relaxed, producing convulsions.   Although the rest of the body may be affected by an epileptic seizure, medical science considers epilepsy to be essentially a disease of the brain.

The numerous forms of epilepsy that can be categorized into two broad groups: (1) symptomatic epilepsy and (2) idiopathic epilepsy.  Symptomatic means that the cause of the seizures is known.  For example, seizures caused by an injury to the head (which can be documented by history or examination) would be classified as symptomatic epilepsy.

In at least one-half of all cases epilepsy the cause is unknown. (Pedley, 1985)   This predominant category of epilepsy is classified as idiopathic, which means “disease without recognizable cause.”  (Thomas, 1973)

Historically, idiopathic epilepsy has been called by several names.  “Cases of epilepsy in which no cerebral lesion can be demonstrated are labeled as idiopathic, cryptogenic, essential, pure, primary or true.”   (Epilepsy Foundation of America, 1975, p. 17)   The historical designation of idiopathic epilepsy as “true” epilepsy is important because it was the term used by Edgar Cayce in his psychic readings on epilepsy.

Edgar Cayce on Epilepsy

Edgar Cayce (1877-1945) was a prominent figure in the development of the holistic medicine movement in America.  Practicing as a medical clairvoyant, Cayce is reported to have voluntarily entered an altered state consciousness (trance) in which he gave psychic dissertations on various subjects including the health status of individuals who sought his assistance.  Cayce gave over 14,000 of these psychic readings including over two hundred that discuss various aspects of epilepsy.

In contrast to mainstream medicine that focuses almost entirely on the brain as the dysfunctional organ in epilepsy, Cayce focused on peripheral systems (especially the autonomic nervous system, digestive tract, and lymphatic system) which in turn produce reflexes resulting in brain seizures.
Specifically, Cayce insisted that most cases of epilepsy were caused by “adhesions” in the lacteal ducts that line the intestinal tract along the right side of the abdomen.  Lacteal ducts are part of the lymphatic system that absorb nutrients from the small intestine as digested food passes through the gastrointestinal tract.  An adhesion is “a holding together by new tissue [i.e., scar tissue], produced by inflammation or injury, of two structures which are normally separate.”  (Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary)

Presumably adhesions in the lacteal ducts can interfere with absorption of nutrients (particularly fats and proteins).  Generally speaking, adhesions interfere with the circulation of blood and lymph.  Cayce insisted that adhesions in the lacteal ducts can also cause the nervous system to be thrown out of balance or “coordination.”  Thus nervous system incoordination is a primary factor cited in the Cayce readings on epilepsy.

Cayce cited various causes of abdominal lacteal duct adhesions in epilepsy, including: Injury or trauma directly to the abdomen, fever, spinal injuries (with reflexes to the abdomen), and pregnancy and birth complications.  The treatment rationale that underlies Cayce’s therapeutic approach flows naturally from his premise that most cases of epilepsy were caused by adhesions in the lacteal ducts of the abdomen.  Treatment is directed at breaking up adhesions in the lacteal ducts located along the right side of the abdomen with hot castor oil packs.  Cayce frequently recommended various other therapies in the treatment of epilepsy, including spinal adjustments, diet, hydrotherapy, medicines, and mental/spiritual healing.

The Meridian Institute Epilepsy Research Program

Researchers at Meridian Institute have been engaged in research efforts to explore Cayce’s approach to epilepsy since 1992.  The first step was to study the Cayce readings themselves to understand Cayce’s model.  Weekly meetings of a study group from October 1992 to March 1996 provided the foundation for a series of feasibility studies that followed.  Three Meridian researchers participated in this initial background research phase.

A literature review of the medical literature with special emphasis on medical texts of Cayce’s era was also conducted.  The early osteopathic literature and Byron Robinson’s book The Abdominal and Pelvic Brain (Robinson, 1908) were useful in understanding Cayce’s model.  Modern medical articles on the enteric nervous system, abdominal epilepsy, and reflex epilepsy were also extremely helpful (see Appendix F).  The results of this scholarly background research eventually culminated in an article titled “The Abdominal Brain and Enteric Nervous System” (McMillin et al, 1999) that reviews the visceral components of abdominal epilepsy, abdominal migraine, and autism.

The Cold Spot Hypothesis

In one particular reading Cayce noted that “From every condition that is of true epileptic nature there will be found a cold spot or area between the lacteal duct and the caecum.”  (567-4)  The anatomical region specified by Cayce is located on the right side of the abdomen between the point of the last rib and point of the hip.  Instructions for applying the hot castor oil packs (that were a primary treatment recommended by Cayce for epilepsy) invariably covered this region.  Appendix A contains nine readings in which Cayce discusses the cold spot in epilepsy.  Appendix A also includes a summary of key points (such as the precise location, timing, and detection of the thermal variation) related to the hypothesized cold spot.

In addition to the specific linkage of an abdominal cold spot in “true” epilepsy, the Cayce readings contain numerous references to variations in surface thermal patterns that can be indicative of underlying anatomical and physiological dysfunction for diverse syndromes. Such thermographic anomalies have also been noted extensively in the chiropractic and osteopathic literature, particularly with regard to temperature variations along the spine.

For general research purposes we obtained a used Flexi-Therm liquid crystal thermography (LCT) unit from a local osteopathic physician.  Thermograms were made by placing the Flexi-Therm liquid crystal sheet on the exposed skin of a reclining subject, and photographing the resulting pattern when it stabilized using an attached Polaroid camera.  We routinely took images of the back and abdomen of all the participants in our residential research programs.  Over an eight-year period we evaluated 79 adults using LCT. This data set includes the diverse medical diagnoses of our residential research studies, healthy individuals, and several epilepsy patients that are discussed below.

Thermographic Case Study Series

As word of our research interest spread, we made contact with a local individual with epilepsy who volunteered for thermographic analysis using the Flexi-Therm liquid crystal thermography (LCT) system.  Over a period of sixteen months twenty-eight LCT images were obtained that documented a cold spot on the right side of the abdomen consistent with the description given by Cayce.

The images and background information on this case series is contained in Appendix B.  The abdominal cold spot varied somewhat from session to session, but was always present, as were other abdominal thermal features.

Epilepsy Research Conference

Based on our background research and the evidence from the case study series documented in Appendix B, a feasibility study exploring the efficacy of the Cayce treatment approach to epilepsy was conducted in 1996.  Three individuals were recruited via ads in the A.R.E. membership magazine (Venture Inward).  This small group consisting of two females and one male participated in a six-day live-in instructional/treatment program in March, 1996, in which they were taught the elements of the Edgar Cayce therapies for epilepsy.

The therapies included dietary changes, colonic irrigations, castor oil packs, and psycho-spiritual modalities such as prayer, meditation, and purposeful living.  The participants then returned home to continue these therapies for six months, submitting daily logs of compliance with the protocol.  Epilepsy symptoms were evaluated at the beginning of the program and after 6 months.

Only one participant followed the protocol consistently and reported improvement in symptoms.  There were no adverse effects of treatment reported by any of the participants in this project.

This epilepsy study was conducted as part of a series of residential research programs for various disorders (including psoriasis, migraine, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome, and hypertension).  Two important findings in the epilepsy study were consistent with the other studies: Recruiting research participants is difficult and getting participants to follow complex treatment plans is even more problematic.

A third realization specific to epilepsy research is that even if participants consistently follow the treatment plan, it is difficult to determine experimental treatment effects due the confounding influence of anti-seizure medication taken by most patients.  Going off medication can mean the loss of driving privileges and adverse effects on other significant quality of life factors.  With a very large pool of participants, such factors can sometimes be reliably sorted out.

Liquid Crystal Thermography Research

In recognition of the problems associated with recruitment, treatment compliance, and medication effects, we decided to focus our limited research resources on the distinctive thermal pattern (abdominal cold spot) that the Cayce readings insisted were at the etiological core of “true” (idiopathic) epilepsy.  We were able to recruit a couple more epilepsy volunteers without advertising.  Thus our LCT data set included thermal images of six adult epilepsy patients.

Technically, the LCT phase of our epilepsy research project could be described as an exploratory, descriptive study comparing abdominal thermograms of epilepsy patients with thermograms of patients with other conditions and healthy normals.  We utilized retrospective analysis of data, requiring no intervention.  The outcome variables were variations in abdominal thermographic images in epilepsy patients as compared to controls (healthy normals and patients with other conditions).

Analysis of the abdominal LCT images were via qualitative assessment. The goal was to determine whether there were visually apparent variations in the epilepsy patients with regard to increased coldness on the right side of the abdomen as compared to the left side in the epilepsy patients when compared to nonepileptic controls. Also, the assessment considered possible thermal configurations that were relatively unique to epilepsy patients.
Although there was some variability in the abdominal thermograms of the six epilepsy patients obtained using LCT, there was a clear tendency for a notable cold area on the right side of the abdomen as compared to the left side. This pattern seemed to be more common in epilepsy patients than with other illnesses or for healthy individuals. In four of the six cases of epilepsy the abdominal cold spot was a distinct circular pattern that occured slightly below the navel. In two other cases of epilepsy the cool spot was less prominent. In contrast, in non-epileptic control subjects, no consistent pattern was noted. Table 1 provides graphic documentation of the four epilepsy cases with distinctive thermographic anomalies as compared to four nonepilepsy cases (2 normal, 1 asthma, 1 chronic fatigue syndrome).
 

 

5
6
7
8
Epilepsy Case 1
Epilepsy Case 2
Epilepsy Case 3
Epilepsy Case 4
9
10
11
12
Normal 1
Normal 2
Asthma Case
CFS Case

  TABLE 1
Abdominal thermograms of four cases of epilepsy and four nonepilepsy cases. Note the distinctive cold spot on the right side of the abdomen in the epilepsy patients (circled with white outline). 

In summary, the LCT phase of our epilepsy research project yielded promising, albeit tentative positive results with a small group of epilepsy patients compared to normal individuals and patients with other diverse conditions.  We reported the findings of the LCT phase at the Thirteenth Annual ISSSEEM Conference in Boulder, Colorado on June 22, 2003 (McMillin, el al, 2003).  Based on this preliminary data, we felt that the investment in more expensive equipment (digital infrared camera and software) and recruitment of a larger sample was warranted.

Infrared Thermography Research

Through the generous donation of an individual who had become aware of our research efforts we were able to purchase an Inframetrics 740 infrared camera and software well suited to researching the Cayce cold spot hypothesis.  We spent several months becoming familiar with the operation of the camera prior to formal data collection.  The protocol of this study was approved by a human subjects research committee.

Epilepsy patients were recruited by presentations on epilepsy at support group meetings and via newspaper ads.  Prior to the recruitment of epilepsy patients, 60 nonepileptic controls were recruited for evaluation of abdominal thermographic patterns and the presence and severity of abdominal symptoms for later comparison with the epilepsy participants.  Images obtained from the 60 control participants in June of 2003 are documented in Appendix C.

Fourteen adult epilepsy patients were recruited during the summer of 2004.  Whenever possible, documentation of the epilepsy patients was obtained from neurologists with the written permission of the participants.

Thermography of the surface of the abdomen was performed using the Inframetrics 740 infrared camera. The 740 produces a thermal image of the abdomen with a temperature range of 5 degrees C and a resolution of 0.1 degrees C.

We generally followed the Quality Assurance Guidelines established by the International Academy of Clinical Thermology (Standards and Protocols in Clinical Thermographic Imaging – Current Revision August 2001) although for a few sessions the room temperature slightly exceeded the IACT guidelines (18-23 degrees C.).  The temperature of the room was maintained so that the participant’s physiology was not altered to the point of shivering or perspiring. Any room temperature changes during the course of an assessment was gradual so that steady state physiology was maintained and all parts of the body could adjust uniformly.  Ambient room temperature thermometer was monitored and recorded at the time of all measurements.

The sequence of measurements was for an initial image to be taken followed by a twenty-minute equilibration period with the patient resting calming in a reclining chair with bare abdomen.  Then another thermal image was taken at room temperature, the skin of the abdomen was briefly swabbed with rubbing alcohol, and an additional picture was taken to look at the effect of slightly more cooling.  Images obtained from the epilepsy patients are documented in Appendix D.  During the equilibration period, the participants were asked questions about history and symptoms of epilepsy as documented in the questionnaires in Appendix E.

Thermal variations represent autonomic vasomotor activity in terms of average temperatures in selected areas, and of temperature differentials. The thermographic images were analyzed using FLIR ThermaCAM Researcher 2002 software. This software allows the average temperature and standard deviation to be calculated for any selected area of the image, and can calculate differential comparisons. Using the navel (identifiable as a hot spot) as a reference point, we measured four rectangular areas (8 cm x 8 cm, above and below and to either side of the navel) based on the areas covered by the cold spots in Table 1. We compared the average temperatures on the right side to the corresponding areas on the left side. We performed intra-individual comparisons of the four quadrants of the abdomen (subtracting the average temperature on the right side from the average temperature on the right side) and also located the coldest spots on the abdomen of each individual.

 

Upper Rt Upper Lf Lower Rt Lower Lf UL-UR LL-LR
Mean 31.82 31.74 31.33 31.32 -0.08 -0.01
SD 1.55 1.51 1.30 1.31 0.32 0.29

Table 2a. Control subject abdominal temperatures in degrees C, baseline, n = 64.

 

Upper Rt Upper Lf Lower Rt Lower Lf UL-UR LL-LR
Mean 32.93 32.85 32.65 32.48 -0.10 -0.24
SD 1.27 1.11 1.48 1.35 0.32 0.46

Table 2b. Epileptic subject abdominal temperatures in degrees C, baseline, n = 15.

 

Upper Rt Upper Lf Lower Rt Lower Lf UL-UR LL-LR
Mean 31.63 31.48 31.14 31.06 -0.15 -0.07
SD 1.39 1.41 1.38 1.40 0.35 0.32

Table 3a. Control subject abdominal temperatures in degrees C, after 20 minutes equilibration, n = 63.

 

Upper Rt Upper Lf Lower Rt Lower Lf UL-UR LL-LR
Mean 32.46 32.34 32.02 31.33 -0.13 -0.69
SD 0.88 0.89 1.03 2.51 0.36 2.46

Table 3b. Epileptic subject abdominal temperatures in degrees C, after 20 minutes equilibration, n = 15.

 

Upper Rt Upper Lf Lower Rt Lower Lf UL-UR LL-LR
Mean 30.47 30.34 29.90 29.84 -0.13 -0.05
SD 1.25 1.30 1.24 1.32 0.33 0.32

Table 4a. Control subject abdominal temperatures in degrees C, after alcohol wipe, n = 63.

 

Upper Rt Upper Lf Lower Rt Lower Lf UL-UR LL-LR
Mean 31.50 31.27 31.08 29.95 2.03 -1.05
SD 0.98 0.92 1.06 2.92 8.14 2.81

Table 4b. Epileptic subject abdominal temperatures in degrees C, after alcohol wipe, n = 15. 

 


1
Figure 1
 


2
Figure 2
 


3
Figure 3
 


4
Figure 4
 


The results of the infrared study failed to confirm the cold spot hypothesis in epilepsy.  As expected, the control group displayed considerable thermal variation with hot and cold spots scattered around the abdomen.  There does not appear to be a consistent cold spot on the right side of the abdomen in this nonepiletic sample.  Thus if a consistent cold spot were documented in a subgroup of epilepsy patients, this anomaly could not be considered as simply a variant of normal abdominal thermography.

However, we were unable to document a consistent cold spot within the epilepsy group. Like the control group, there was considerable variability with some coolness on the right side of the abdomen.  However, statistical analysis failed to detect any significant differences in the right and left side of the abdomen, or in the location of the coldest spots on the abdomen.

It is noteworthy that all the average temperatures for the epileptics are about 1 degree C higher than those of the controls. This is likely to have been an artifact of the temperature of the room, and not a real difference between epileptics and nonepileptics. The controls were almost all measured in a 20 degree C air-conditioned room, during a 1-week period in June. The epileptics were measured in two different rooms, where there was less control over the temperature, at various times during the year; the average room temperature was around 22 degrees C. Although most measurements were made within the standard 18-23 degree range, even a small temperature change appears to have a substantial effect on superficial skin temperature.

Variations in humidity during the year would add to this variability. This difference in means does not affect the intraindividual left/right comparison, but it means that caution is needed in interpreting any absolute measurements of temperature.

Anticipating a possible effect of constipation, we had each subject fill out a constipation scale. Very few subjects had any constipation, and there did not appear to be any relationship to abdominal temperature. Average temperatures were somewhat related to body mass index (BMI); lower skin temperatures were found in more obese people. In addition, obese people had more complex patterns of cold and warm spots, probably due to subcutaneous fat distribution.

Discussion

Cold Spot Considerations

Most of our epilepsy research has focused on Cayce’s cold spot hypothesis due to the problematic nature of doing clinical research with this population.  In particular, difficulties with recruitment, treatment compliance, and medication effects pushed us in the direction of basic physiological research.  Our strategy was to see if the abdominal cold spot hypothesis could be verified.  If the cold spot could be reliably documented, this could increase motivation by participants to follow the treatment plan (especially the hot castor oil packs) to see if the cold spot could be diminished or eliminated.  With these two condition met (detection of a cold spot and therapeutic elimination of the cold spot), patients and physicians could have a basis for determining the need for constant anti-seizure medication.  So eventually, if justified by solid research, our epilepsy research program could cycle back to the full treatment regimen that we attempted in our initial epilepsy research conference.

Although documenting the presence or absence of this type of thermal anomaly may seem to be a simple matter, we have found this not to be the case.  At the core of the issue is the difficulty in understanding exactly what Cayce meant when he described the abdominal cold spot in epilepsy. The Cayce readings explicitly discussed a cold spot in epilepsy in nine readings (see Appendix A).  Numerous other readings are consistent with this pattern in recommending hot abdominal castor oil packs which the readings recommended to break up adhesions or lesions in the lacteal ducts along the right side of the abdomen that were said to cause the cold spot.

Let us review the evocative quote on this subject: “From every condition that is of true epileptic nature there will be found a cold spot or area between the lacteal duct and the caecum.”  (567-4)  Here are some observations on the cold spot based on this quote and other readings on the subject of surface thermal anomalies:

  • Reading 567-4 (and other related readings) does not rule out that there may be cold spots on other portions of the abdomen in addition to the right side in cases of epilepsy.  Even in our best-documented epilepsy case (Appendix B – Case Study Series), cold areas could be noted at times on the left side of the abdomen.
  • The readings do not specifically rule out the presence of a cold spot on the right side of the abdomen in conditions other than “true” epilepsy.  In other words, having a cold spot on the right of the abdomen does not necessarily mean that the person with will have a seizure disorder.  The presence of cold spots on the right abdomen among the nonepileptic controls in both the LCT and infrared phases of our thermography program confirm this point.  The images in Appendix C clearly illustrate the presence of an abdominal cold spot on the right side of the abdomen in several nonepileptic individuals.
  • Given that some readings encourage the determination of the cold spot in close temporal relation to a seizure (i.e., immediately before, during, or after), one may presume that the cold spot would not be present (or present to a lesser degree) at other times.  Hence one would naturally expect variability in the presence of this feature among cases of “true” (idiopathic) epilepsy that may fit Cayce’s model.  Hence a single session may not rule out the pattern, particularly if some coolness is noted along the right side of the abdomen.  Appendix D illustrates this point with regard to several of the individuals with epilepsy who presented with at least some coolness on the right side, that, when analyzed as part of the entire data set, is not statistically significant.

Given the abundant amount of “noise” (i.e., variability) in abdominal thermography of both epilepsy and nonepilepsy volunteers in our studies it becomes clear that for any positive outcome in this area there must be a very strong signal-to-noise ratio.  The early studies with LCT suggested that we were dealing with a fairly strong signal (i.e., obvious cold spot).  The more sensitive infrared data did not detect such a strong signal.

The last point concerning timing of the cold spot may be the source for much of the variability in our findings.  If the cold spot is only present as a strong signal in close temporal proximity to a seizure, the odds of detecting this thermal anomaly in most epilepsy patients is greatly reduced.

Anti-seizure medication effects can further complicate this problem.  If the Cayce approach to the pathophysiology of idiopathic epilepsy is accurate, the physiological process can be compared to a chain reaction in which the sedating properties of anti-seizure medication breaks the chain of effects at the level of brain involvement.  Perhaps the underlying abdominal pathology in the lacteal ducts (and associated cold spot due to disturbed circulation) still continues in cycles of activity, but no brain seizure is produced.  This could explain the variability documented in the LCT case series (Appendix B).  At the times when an obvious cold spot was recorded, the system could have been involved in the abdominal stage of a seizure that did not manifest due to medication effects.  Since the full seizure does not take place, there is no way of determining the temporal proximity of the thermal image and a seizure episode.

For epilepsy patients who experience few seizures when not taking medication, the chances of detecting a significant cold spot when on medication are very low.  In contrast, a patient who has frequent seizures without medication, would be more likely to exhibit the abdominal cold spot even when on medication.  The cold spot would be a background thermal anomaly associated with the underlying pathophysiology of idiopathic epilepsy that is unaffected by medication.  This could explain the presence of a prominent cold spot in the case series (Appendix B) on some days and not others.  It could also explain the relative absence of an abdominal cold spot in most of our infrared epilepsy participants who seldom have seizures when not medicated.

Although infrared thermography is now the standard for measuring skin temperature, one possible drawback in our application is that it is very sensitive to small variations in superficial temperature (such as on the surface of hairs on the abdomen), which may obscure deeper, more stable features. The older LCT, which has a thermal sink in the form of the liquid crystal sheet, may actually give a better picture of deeper features.
Another potentially confounding factor that may account for some of the differences in the infrared and LCT data relates to the infrared protocol that we used to conform to the International Academy of Clinical Thermology standards. Specifically, the infrared data collected immediately after the twenty-minute equilibration period was used as the primary data point in our analysis. As the images in Appendix D illustrate, thermal data collected at baseline and/or following the alcohol rub sometimes displayed the most interesting effects in terms of a cold spot on the right side of the abdomen. Perhaps the process of thermoregulation of bare skin to a cool room temporarily overrides deeper endogenous thermal patterns in an attempt to equilibrate to the much cooler environmental conditions. For example, the baseline and post alchohol images for Participant #25 (Appendix D) show a notable cold spot on the right side of the abdomen which is lacking in the twenty-minute equilibration image. Participant #25 is the individual docummented in Appendix B. The infrared baseline and alcohol rub images for this participant are consistent with the extensive LCT series collected previously and images taken at the conclusion of the infrared session.

Future Studies

One of the obvious implications of the importance of timing in detecting an abdominal cold spot is that research should seek to focus on participants who are actively having seizures in close temporal relation to the thermography sessions.  Patients with intractable epilepsy (i.e., not responding to medication) may be a good source of research participants for studying Cayce’s cold spot hypothesis.  At least it would be easy to determine if any thermographic images are obtained in close temporal proximity to a seizure.  One of the challenges of doing thermographic studies of this population would be safely getting cooperation immediately before, during, or after a seizure.  Another potential problem is that by the very fact that the seizures are not responsive to medication the pathophysiology of the disorder may not fit within Cayce’s definition of “true” epilepsy.

Another approach to recruiting participants who are actively experiencing seizures would be to study childhood epilepsy.  Parents who are concerned about putting their child on anti-seizure medication might be willing to participate in an epilepsy thermography project.  Research with this population could also decrease some of the other problems that we encountered with researching adult epilepsy populations.  Parents are more likely to be highly motivated and committed to following a treatment plan for the sake of their children.  Since children do not drive automobiles, it would be easier and safer to evaluate the outcome of alternative treatments with periods without medication.

Researching the cold spot hypothesis in childhood epilepsy could be done in a less invasive and more informal way by following Cayce’s advice of simply putting a warm hand on the abdomen during a seizure.  This is something that a parent or health professional could easily accomplish.  Although the data would have less empirical value, if this type of informal preliminary study had positive outcomes, it could precede the use of the formal thermographic protocol developed by Meridian Institute.  Parents who are able to detect a cold spot with their own hands will be highly motivated to overcome whatever obstacles may need surmounting to participate in such a study.

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Appendices

  • Appendix A – The Cayce Readings on the Abdominal Cold Spot in Epilepsy
  • Appendix B – Case Study Series (Adobe Acrobat, 521kb)
  • Appendix C – Infrared Control Group Images (Adobe Acrobat, 8.95mb – note: very large file)
  • Appendix D – Infrared Epilepsy Group Images (Adobe Acrobat, 1.16mb – note large file)
  • Appendix E – Research Data Forms (Adobe Acrobat, 483kb)
  • Appendix F – Conceptual Issues