28th International Epilepsy Congress
Budapest, June 28th - July 2nd 2009

Scientific Programme 

Seven topics carefully selected by the Joint Executive Committee of ILAE and IBE will comprise the main topics for the scientific programme. The Scientific Programme will focus on the following topics;

Autonomic Functions and Biorhythmicity
Chair: Andras Fogarasi Hungary
The main session will review different aspects of the relationship of epilepsy, biorhythmicityand sleep.The post-main session will focus on the peri-ictal
autonomic symptoms, especially on their frequency, gender differences, and help in seizure localisation as well as their possible role in SUDEP.

Searching for a Cure – Experimental Models and Human Epilepsy
Chair: Edward Dudek USA
This session will analyse how animal models of acquired epilepsy can be further developed to optimize their clinical relevance for research aimed at preventing epileptogenesis and curing epilepsy after brain injury.

Comprehensive Care around the World
Chair: Suad Al Yamani Saudi Arabia
This session aims to discuss various areas of interest in epilepsy care and to have an understanding about the different epilepsy services across the continent. It also
intends to determine the obstacles to standardised care around the world and establish the means to remove them.

The Family and Epilepsy – Clinical and Social Dimensions
Chair: Lilia Núñes Orozco Mexico
Family is the first social group affected when a member has epilepsy. Its reactions will influence the ability of the person with epilepsy to be inserted in the general
society and reach a good outcome or not. The session will show different approaches to this issue.

Brain Development, Plasticity and Epilepsy
Chair: Terence O’Brien Australia
This session will explore how normal changes in brain development and plasticity can be perturbed to result in epilepsy, in turn how seizures themselves can result in secondary changes brain development and plasticity, and the clinical and therapeutic implications
of both of these for patients.

Imaging Epilepsy Networks and Cortical Dysplasia
Chair: Friedrich Woermann Germany
The strict concept of generalised vs. focal epilepsies might be modified by findings from structural and functional neuroimaging. This session will review recent knowledge and add to the discussion on whether epilepsies are functional system disorders
and whether even their focal aetiologies represent distributed pathogenic or ictogenic networks.

Non-Specialist Management of Epilepsy
Chair: Shichuo Li China
The session of “Non-specialist management of epilepsy” is to review and study the management of people with epilepsy (PWE) by general practitioners, folk therapists, social workers, policy makers, etc. concerning prejudice/stigmatization with PWEs. It will
also look at PWE’s psychological health and quality of life, legislation for protection and promotion of their legal rights in education, employment, marriage and reproduction.