EpiCARE: a European Reference Network for rare and complex epilepsies
The European Reference Networks (ERNs) were launched in 2017. They involve more than 900 highly specialised health care teams, located in more than 300 hospitals in 26 European countries. The main mission of the ERNs is to help patients with rare or low-prevalence complex diseases.
A disease is defined as rare when it affects fewer than one in 2 000 people, is serious, chronic and often life-threatening. Between 5 000 and 8 000 of rare diseases affect daily life of around 30 million people in the EU.
The ERN EpiCARE brings together highly specialized health centres (38 full members and 12 affiliated partners) in 26 European countries with expertise in rare and complex epilepsies.
If you are a healthcare professional and would like to refer a patient to us, or if you are a patient yourself, or a family member of a patient, please get in touch via our contact page.
The objectives of the EpiCARE network
Accessibility
To improve accessibility of detailed diagnostics to individuals of all ages with rare and complex epilepsies across Europe, including clinical evaluation and investigation.
Developing treatment
To develop treatment protocols and monitor standardised outcomes of rare and complex epilepsies.
Awareness
To improve awareness and accessibility to protocols for physicians and individuals with rare and complex epilepsies across Europe for treatment.
Education
To enhance educational activities and training opportunities across Europe by interchange across the network.
Collaborative research
To enhance opportunities for registries, and collaborative research for the benefit of individuals with rare and complex epilepsies across Europe.
Agenda
Course Directors: Fernando Cendes (Brasil) and Carlo Marras (Italy)
Aim of the Course is to teach attendees to: (1) utilize basic knowledge to study patients candidate to epilepsy surgery with imaging and electrophysiological techniques; (2) understand the nature and evolution of surgically remediable epilepsies; (3) recognize and select patients with drug-resistant epilepsy that may benefit of surgical treatment; (4) plan neurophysiological, video EEG and imaging investigations and interpret their results in the clinical context; (5) manage an Epilepsy Surgery team. The Course is targeted to neurologists, neuropediatricians, neurophysiologists, neuroradiologists, neurosurgeons and clinical neuroscientists interested in the pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of pharmacoresistant epilepsies, and in the development of epilepsy surgery programs. The Course is based on frontal teaching, practical sessions, special group activities and presentation of clinical cases. Attendees will be grouped in small teams to prepare a research project on pharmacoresistant epilepsy under the supervision of two faculty tutors.
Faculty: Fernando Cendes (Br), Carlo Marras (I), Albert Becker (D), Luca De Palma (I), Vadym Gnatkovsky (D), Jorge Gonsales Martines (US), Christoph Helmstaedter (D), Hans Holtausen (D), Sam Lathoo (US), Aileen McGonigal (Aus), Michele Rizzi (I), Laura Tassi (I), Kette Valente (BR), Anna Vaudano (I), Sara Baldassarri (F), Sandor Beniczky (DEN), Stefan Rampp (D), Helen Cross (UK), Rita Garbelli (I), Andy McEvoy (UK), Veronica Pelliccia (I), Domenico Tortora (I).
Registration fee: 3.300 € in single room; 2.800 € in shared two-bed room (w VAT and bank fees). The registration fee includes:
- accommodation from July 21st to 31st (11 nights)
- full board and coffee breaks for the entire duration of the Course
- access to the Course apps and to the Venice International University facilities
Application forms (available on ILAE website) should be sent to the attention of Valentina Guarino at epilepsysummercourse@univiu.org, fax +39-02-700445211.
The application deadline is January 15th, 2024.
A limited number of fellowships that cover registration and local expenses (not travel costs) will be available. Fellowship requests must be submitted by December 31st, 2023.
The ZOOM link is always the same for all meetings and attached below for your information. Please feel free to share and invite your colleagues !
The 15th European Epilepsy Congress (EEC) will take place in Rome, Italy from 7-11 September 2024. The EEC is now a landmark in the epilepsy community agenda and the forthcoming EEC promises to be innovative and engaging. The congress is organised by the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE).
Here you have more information about the program.
The ZOOM link is always the same for all meetings and attached below for your information. Please feel free to share and invite your colleagues !
Since 2008, a group of international epilepsy experts from the US, France, Germany, Switzerland the UK and now also from Spain have been organizing highly interactive meetings thematically focused on epilepsy surgery and difficult to treat epilepsies, and characterized by intensive discussions, state of the are talks and detailed case presentations.
The 16th International Epilepsy Course and Colloquium will take place in Frankfurt, Germany. Here you have more information.
Workshop Description
Reliable neuropathological work-up of epilepsy-associated brain lesions represents an important diagnostic value for the surgical management of patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy. The international classification of epilepsies recognizes a large spectrum of brain lesions as potential predictors of disease progression and treatment response. The 14th International Summer School for Neuropathology and Epilepsy Surgery is designed to enable participants to better recognize and classify various histopathological substrates of drug-resistant epilepsy. Topics related to the diagnosis and treatment of human focal epilepsies will be presented by internationally renowned faculty. Advanced hands-on histopathology training will be offered in small groups led by distinguished tutors who will review and discuss microscopy slides of selected cases with different staining protocols. Participants will also have the opportunity to present their own cases for discussion with the entire group. The workshop has been held in Germany, Brazil, USA and China since 2013, with the endorsement of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE).
Learning Objectives of the ILAE curriculum
1.1.1 Demonstrate working knowledge of etiologies for focal and generalized epilepsies in children and adults (Level 1-3) with particular emphasis on hippocampal sclerosis, glio-neuronal brain tumors and malformations of cortical development (see also 1.1.2, 1.1.4 and 1.1.6) 4.1 Demonstrate working knowledge of indications for pre-surgical evaluation (Level 1-3)
4.7 Demonstrate the value and need for multidisciplinary teamwork
Target Audience
Neuro-/Pathologists, Epileptologists, Neurosurgeons & Neurologists, Neuroimager and Basic Researcher
Registration
Please register in advance as room will be limited to 50 participants. No on-site registration available. Applications must be received by April 1st 2024. We urge that you apply as soon as possible to reserve your spot and avoid disappointment.
Applications should include a brief description of your current clinical practice and experience in the field of neuropathology and epilepsy surgery and a short CV.
Please indicate your level of experience in histopathology:
A – experienced, B – beginner, C – non-experienced.
Please send your application to: bluemcke @uk-erlangen.de.
Selected participants will be informed no later than 40 workings days from the application deadline, and will receive all further instructions regarding payment and full registration.
Registration fee: €400
Epilepsy Foundation Pipeline Conference is held every two years to bring together decision-makers in the field of epilepsy treatment, therapeutic innovation, and product development. This exciting meeting provides a forum for evaluating new therapies in development, exploring future advancements, and encouraging collaborations and partnerships.
It will take place in Atlanta.
The ZOOM link is always the same for all meetings and attached below for your information. Please feel free to share and invite your colleagues !
It will take place in Ljubljana (Slovenia).
The EPNS has been organising Research Meetings since 2008. With an aim to enhance research in Paediatric Neurology, the meeting brings together leaders in the field, active researchers and young fellows who are interested to join or to set up research projects.
Here you have more information about the program.
The second conference titled DIFFERENT FACES OF RARE AND COMPLEX EPILEPSIES will be held in Split, Croatia, from Thursday 17th to Saturday 19th of October 2024.
This conference aims to encourage knowledge sharing and productive discussions on rare and complex epilepsies. It is focused on the latest research and advances in long-term treatment methods. Its goal is to contribute to greater visibility of these diseases, and to help patients and their families to come out of the shadows.
Here you have more information about the conference.
