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EpiCARE

EpiCARE is the European Reference Network for all rare and complex epilepsies. The ERNs aim to improve care for rare diseases, reduce inequalities in access to the best diagnostic, treatment practices and investigational tools.

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.

Last days to register!

We are delighted to announce that Rome, the eternal city, will once again welcome us from December 16th to 18th 2024, for the 5th edition of the “In Search of lost time”. 

The nearly final program is now available and registrations are open (number of places limited). 

See you in a few days!

Save the date: Join the EPIPED Course 2025 in Girona, Spain!

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.

The EPIPED-Treatment cycle (2024-2026) aims to regularly update neurologists and child neurologists on the best practices in epilepsy treatment.

Save the date!

Next EpiCARE Webinar

EpiCARE 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.
The next webinar you can’t miss:

🧠Join us for an insightful webinar: “Building a Successful International Patient Network in Preparation for Future Scenarios”.

Speakers: ePAG (European Patient Advocacy Group)

🔎An excellent opportunity to expand your knowledge!

🗓️Date: 19th December
🕒Time: 17:00 CET
Registration Link: https://lnkd.in/dbK9r8jW

Click here to access to past webinars

Calls for collaborative genetic research

 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 !

EpiCARE Research Council

Supporting research on rare and complex epilepsies in one of EpiCARE’s priorities.

To that effect, the Research Council is sharing some open funding calls opportunities on this webpage.

Do not hesitate to have a look at the calls, and contact Sébile Tchaicha, Research project manager, if you have any question !

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 24 European countries and in Norway. The main mission of the ERNs is to help patients with rare or low-prevalence complex diseases, and to shape healthcare systems and national networks.

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

Dec
6
Fri
American Epilepsy Society
Dec 6 – Dec 10 all-day

The AES Annual Meeting brings together healthcare providers, scientists, advocates, industry, and other professionals dedicated to better outcomes for people with epilepsy. Information about AES 2024 will be available soon.

Dec
11
Wed
ERICA ERN Research Conference @ Hotel Là di Moret
Dec 11 – Dec 13 all-day

The ERICA ERN Research Conference will take place from December 11th to December 13th, 2024 in Udine, Italy. The aim of the ERICA consortium, in which all 24 European Reference Networks (ERNs) take part, is to build on the strength of the individual ERNs and create a platform that integrates all ERNs research and innovation capacity.

Dec
12
Thu
Monthly EpiCARE post-surgical case discussion
Dec 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 !

 

Dec
16
Mon
In Search of Lost Time 5 @ Istituto Patristico Augustinianum
Dec 16 – Dec 18 all-day

We are delighted to announce that Rome, the eternal city, will once again welcome us for the 5th edition of the Workshop “In Search of Lost Time 5”. The nearly final program is now available and registrations are open (number of places limited).

Jan
9
Thu
Monthly EpiCARE post-surgical case discussion
Jan 9 @ 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 !

 

Feb
6
Thu
International Symposium: Neurodevelopmental Syndromes and Movement Disorders @ Hospital Sant Joan de Déu
Feb 6 – Feb 7 all-day

On February 6th and 7th, 2025, the International Symposium: Neurodevelopmental Syndromes and Movement Disorders, endorsed by ERN EpiCARE, will be held in Barcelona (Spain). The aim of the event is to continue collaborative activities between professionals interested in neurodevelopmental syndromes and movement disorders. Sign up, and do not miss the chance to showcase your work at the International Symposium. Registration (Deadline December 16th)Abstract submission (Deadline December 5th)

Feb
13
Thu
Monthly EpiCARE post-surgical case discussion
Feb 13 @ 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 !

 

Mar
6
Thu
The International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Other Neurological Disorders @ Breckenridge Colorado
Mar 6 all-day

Explore the preliminary program for the 3rd Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Epilepsy and Neurological Disorders (AI Epilepsy 2025).

Mar
13
Thu
Monthly EpiCARE post-surgical case discussion
Mar 13 @ 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 !

 

Apr
2
Wed
STESS 2025 @ Wallenberg Centre, Gothenburg (Sweden)
Apr 2 – Apr 4 all-day

The third International congress on Structural Epilepsy & Symptomatic Seizures will be held in Wallenberg Centre, Gothenburg.

In 2019 and 2023, the first two editions of the congress Seizures and Stroke attracted over 130 participants each, from over ten countries to Gothenburg. Our meeting now returns – with a widened scope to all symptomatic and structural epilepsies. A three-day program of cutting-edge research and clinical presentations are combined with a teaching course for scientists and clinicians starting out in the field, and there are ample poster- and platform-presentation opportunities.