Epilepsy: A Clinical Update

Epilepsy is a chronic neurologic disorder that affects about 80 million people worldwide. Although most people with epilepsy respond well to pharmacologic treatments, about one-third have a drug resistant form. There is high variability in epilepsy, and correct diagnosis and treatment are fundamental to improve health outcomes (NICE guidelines on epilepsies, https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg137)

Led by Simona Balestrini, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Neuroscience Department, Children's Hospital A. Mayer-University of Florence and Senior Clinical Research Fellow and Consultant Neurologist, Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology. The first session of the talk will include an overview of the epilepsy epidemiology, an update of the latest ILAE classification of seizures and epilepsies, a summary of the different aetiologies, including generic, structural, metabolic, infectious, immune and neurodegenerative. The second session will provide a summary of diagnostic tools and some examples for each aetiological category. The third session with focus on treatment strategies, including available evidence-based therapies and tailored treatment guided by aetiology when possible. The final session will include clinical cases to be discussed with the audience.

After attending this course delegates will be able to:

• Initiate appropriate diagnostic work-up
• Recognise underlying epilepsy aetiology
• Consider most appropriate treatment options