What do Flaubert, Dostoevsky and Machado de Assis have in common with neurology?

ABSTRACT The Frenchman Gustave Flaubert, the Russian Fyodor Dostoevsky and the Brazilian Machado de Assis are known for their immeasurable contributions to literature. However, what most people do not know is that all three authors suffered from epilepsy and were affected by their neurological condition in different ways. We offer a short description of how epilepsy influenced their lives, how they dealt with it and how their neurological condition was present in their novels and correspondence. Their lives are excellent examples of how intimately neurology can be entwined in art and history, and provide an important perspective on patients with epilepsy.

摘要
法国作家古斯塔夫·福楼拜（Gustave Flaubert）、俄国作家费奥多尔·陀思妥耶夫斯基（Fyodor Dostoevsky）与巴西作家马查多·德·阿西斯（Machado de Assis）均以对文学领域作出的不可估量的贡献享誉全球。鲜为人知的是，这三位作家均罹患癫痫(epilepsy)，并在不同程度上受到该神经系统病症(neurological condition)的影响。本研究将简要阐述癫痫如何影响他们的人生、他们如何应对该病症，以及该神经系统病症如何渗透于他们的小说创作与书信往来之中。他们的人生堪称绝佳范例，直观展现了神经科学与艺术、历史之间何等紧密的交织关联，同时也为癫痫患者的相关研究提供了极具价值的视角。