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.
“Synergies of Innovative Therapeutic Approaches for Complex, Rare Epilepsies” will take place on Monday, November 3, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
The program will focus on how different therapeutic options can be combined to open new perspectives in the management of rare epilepsies. Case studies will illustrate how individualized treatment concepts contribute to improved seizure control and quality of life.
The event will be livestream and participation is free of charge!
The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) announces the upcoming ILAE School for Neuropathology and Epilepsy Surgery, which will take place September 10–13, 2026, in Erlangen, Germany. The course Directors are Ingmar Blümcke and Roland Coras. The program will feature keynote lectures by renowned experts and hands-on slide seminars focusing on epilepsy-associated brain lesions, including focal cortical dysplasias and low-grade glioneuronal tumors, as well as on human brain tissue research. Participants are kindly asked to save the date and submit their applications as soon as possible!
EpiCARE ERN has launched a series of educational webinars presented by our experts. These webinars on rare and complex epilepsies are free to join from anywhere in the world, however pre-registration is required.
November 12–14, 2025 | Rome, Italy
The Workshop “In search of lost time” is designed as a multidisciplinary forum, bringing together clinicians and researchers, patient advocates and Pharma representatives. This year’s workshop will explore three major themes: Fever-induced epilepsies, Clinical readiness for antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) and gene therapies, and Artificial Intelligence in epilepsy. Abstracts can be submitted as posters or for the “Fostering the Future” session, open to professionals under 40 (Details are in the attached PDF).
The Genetic Research workgroup is sharing opportunities of collaborative calls for European series of patients carrying variants in already known genes, to facilitate this type of studies by connecting several centers across Europe involved in the study of genetic epilepsies.
Have a look at the calls for collaborative genetic research here, and contact Sébile Tchaicha, Research project manager, if you have any question !
to regularly update neurologists and child neurologists on the best practices in epilepsy treatment.
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
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.
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 ZOOM link is always the same for all meetings and attached below for your information. Please feel free to share and invite your colleagues !