EpiCARE: The European Reference Network for Rare and Complex Epilepsies

EpiCARE is the European Reference Network for all rare and complex epilepsies. The ERNs, launched in 2017, aim to improve care for rare diseases, reduce inequalities in access to the best diagnostic, treatment practices and investigational tools. They involve more than 900 highly specialised health care teams. 

The ERN is composed by 61 medical teams of experts, accredited by their respective national authorities and the European Commission. It is present in 24/27 EU countries and in Norway. Supporting medical teams are present in Bulgaria, Greece, Ireland, Switzerland and in the UK.

In October 2023, the administrative coordination of EpiCARE was entrusted to the Hospital Sant Joan de Déu in Barcelona, under the leadership and coordination of Professor Dr. Alexis Arzimanoglou.

Latest news

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 rare disease community comes together in calling on the EU institutions and our national governments to stand by the European Reference Networks, and to uphold their commitment to enable long-lasting impact in people’s lives and, fundamentally, give all people living with a rare or complex condition in Europe the same opportunities to access timely and adequate specialised healthcare. Read the open letter from the rare disease community here

The objectives of the EpiCARE network

Universal

Accessibility

To improve accessibility of detailed diagnostics to individuals of all ages with rare and complex epilepsies across Europe, including clinical evaluation and investigation.

Heartbeat

Developing treatment

To develop treatment protocols and monitor standardised outcomes of rare and complex epilepsies.

Shapes

Awareness

To improve awareness and accessibility to protocols for physicians and individuals with rare and complex epilepsies across Europe for treatment.

Book

Education

To enhance educational activities and training opportunities across Europe by interchange across the network.

Rocket

Collaborative research

To enhance opportunities for registries, and collaborative research for the benefit of individuals with rare and complex epilepsies across Europe.

Agenda

Apr
23
Wed
EPIPED Course @ Hotel Carlemany Girona
Apr 23 – Apr 26 all-day

We’re excited to announce the EPIPED Course 2025, taking place from April 23 to 26 in Girona, Spain! This course marks the second year of the current 3-year EPIPED cycle (2024-2026), a unique, international training designed to bridge geographical and knowledge gaps in epilepsy care.

Save the date and join the EPIPED Course 2025 in Girona, Spain!

 

 

May
8
Thu
Monthly EpiCARE post-surgical case discussion
May 8 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Organized by Prof. Ingmar Blümcke from the University Hospital of Erlangen, Germany, the monthly EpiCARE post-surgical case discussion is still going!

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 !

 

May
11
Sun
12th International Course on Drug Resistant Epilepsies @ Church of Saint Francis (Tagliacozzo)
May 11 – May 17 all-day

The Neurology, Epilepsy and Movement Disorders Unit of Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital – IRCCS, and the Paediatric Neurorehabilitation Department of San Raffaele IRCCS Rome, Italy with the endorsement of ILAE-Europe, EpiCARE, and Lega Italiana contro l’Epilessia (LICE), present the educational initiative “Drug Resistant Epilepsies – 12th International Residential Course” that will take place in Tagliacozzo, Italy.

Jun
12
Thu
Monthly EpiCARE post-surgical case discussion
Jun 12 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Organized by Prof. Ingmar Blümcke from the University Hospital of Erlangen, Germany, the monthly EpiCARE post-surgical case discussion is still going!

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 !

 

Jun
21
Sat
11th Congress of the European Academy of Neurology @ Expo Plaza Main Entrance
Jun 21 – Jun 24 all-day

The 11th Congress of the European Academy of Neurology will lead us back to the wonderful city of Helsinki on 21-24 June 2025. This year the congress will have an innovative and intriguing Overarching Theme that will address ‘Neurology within society’.

Jul
8
Tue
EPNS Congress @ International Congress Center München
Jul 8 – Jul 12 all-day

Welcome to the 16th Congress of the European Paediatric Neurology Society (EPNS) where we classify our field into for Acute, B for Brain, Health & Science and for Chronic. Following a successful EPNS congress in Prague, the next 16th EPNS congress will be held from 8 -12 July 2025 in Munich, Germany. In 2025, we expect 2,000+ participants from all over the world.

Jul
10
Thu
Monthly EpiCARE post-surgical case discussion
Jul 10 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Organized by Prof. Ingmar Blümcke from the University Hospital of Erlangen, Germany, the monthly EpiCARE post-surgical case discussion is still going!

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 !

 

Aug
14
Thu
Monthly EpiCARE post-surgical case discussion
Aug 14 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Organized by Prof. Ingmar Blümcke from the University Hospital of Erlangen, Germany, the monthly EpiCARE post-surgical case discussion is still going!

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 !

 

Aug
25
Mon
XVIII Workshop on Neurobiology of Epilepsy (WONOEP 2025) @ Portugal
Aug 25 – Aug 29 all-day

The Neurobiology Commission is delighted to invite submission of abstracts for the 18th Workshop on the Neurobiology of Epilepsy — WONOEP XVIII. The topic and theme of the meeting is “The Resilient Brain.”

Sep
11
Thu
Monthly EpiCARE post-surgical case discussion
Sep 11 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Organized by Prof. Ingmar Blümcke from the University Hospital of Erlangen, Germany, the monthly EpiCARE post-surgical case discussion is still going!

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 !