The 63rd AES AnnualMeeting turned theHynes Convention Centerin Boston into a hive ofactivity during the firstweek of December. Arecord number ofattendees (4,158)included more than 860who registered on siteat the meeting. Anyfears of reducedattendance due to theeconomy or fear of snowin Boston were

eliminated when Friday sessions were overflowing their rooms.Approximately 39% of attendees were from outside the U.S.including countries such as the Dominican Republic, Iceland, Nigeria,Croatia, Romania and Kuwait. A majority of meeting attendees (58%)were not members of AES.

The meeting provided a variety of activities including 15 lectures andsymposia, 37 Special Interest Groups, 15 Investigators’ Workshops,1,060 posters in five poster sessions, 40 platform sessions,scientific exhibits, a mentoring session, several receptions fornetworking and a concert. The number of exhibitors even increasedthis year, providing an interesting and active exhibit hall. As many ofyou noticed there seemed to be more meetings going on at thesame time than in the past. There were actually 123 of thesecommittee and affiliate meetings and functions during the week atthe Convention Center or the headquarters hotel.

A very special event was held on the Saturday night of the meeting.A memorial concert in memory of Susan Spencer was performed byLongwood Symphony at the New England Conservatory in Boston.The Symphony, made up mostly of medical professionals, studentsand residents includes Susan’s and Dennis’s daughter, Andrea, aviolist. The concert, which was followed by a reception for AES ticketholders, raised $45,200 for the Susan Spencer Memorial Fund. Thisfund will support clinicalresearch fellowships.

Amidst all this activity,AES honored severalmembers for theirresearch and service.The Epilepsy ResearchRecognition Awards areconsidered the mostprestigious prizes forresearch in epilepsy. AESgives two of theseawards annually to activescientists and cliniciansworking in all aspects ofepilepsy research. Theawards are designed torecognize professionalexcellence reflected in adistinguished history ofresearch or importantpromise for the improved understanding, diagnosis and treatment ofepilepsy.

Volume 19, No. 1 | Winter 2010w w w. A E S N E T. o r g

AMER ICAN EP ILEPSY SOCIETY

Inside This Issue...2010 Annual Meeting Dates FEATURES2009 Annual Meeting Recap..............................................12010 Annual Meeting Dates to Remember............1AES 2010 Board of Directors ..........................................3Member News ..............................................................................5Haiti Epilepsy Clinic Update ..................................................6Annual Meeting Photos ..........................................................9Press Reports from Annual Meeting ........................10AES Call for Abstracts..........................................................10

COLUMNSFrom the President....................................................................2From the Board Room ............................................................4Epilepsy Foundation Update ................................................5NINDS Update................................................................................7SIGnals..............................................................................................11Calendar of Events ..................................................................14

March 1 Abstract submission site opened

May 18 Hotel reservations open via the AES Web site

June 15 Abstract submission site closes at 11:59 p.m. (ET)

June 30 Annual Meeting Brochure available online

Registration opens via the AES Web site

Membership year ends, dues due

October 1 Group hotel reservations deadline

October 29 Early bird registration discount expires

November 9 Individual hotel reservations deadline

November 18 Pre-registration deadline

December 3 Registration opens onsite in San Antonio

2009 Annual Meeting Recap

(continued on page 8)

Following the concert, Dennis Spencer posed withhis daughters, Joanna and Andrea, the conductor,Jonathan McPhee and Longwood SymphonyPresident, Lisa Wong, M.D.

Dear Fellow Members:

It is a pleasure and an honor to serve as the President of theSociety in its 74th year. Even though our Society is more thanseven decades old, it still has all the features of a young,vibrant and vital organization. We continue to add new membersto our Society and attendance at our annual meeting continuesto grow with approximately 4,200 people at our Bostonmeeting, which was a record. The leadership of this Society iscommitted to sustaining its excellence.

The Society draws its strength from the great diversity ofprofessionals who join us. We are committed to attracting new,

young members from multiple disciplines to serve our patients better. Chair of ourmembership committee, Dr. Ken Kaufman, has made a commitment towards attractingmore psychiatrists. We will continue efforts to attract junior members to our Societyby providing discounted membership in the first year, mentorship programs, travelfellowships and opportunities to interact with senior members of the Society duringvarious receptions.

The Society is in a period of transition with regards to its finances. Our goal is toprovide excellent educational and research programs while diversifying AES’s sources ofincome and reducing its expenses. There are several elements of income diversification,including a more robust exhibit hall at the annual meeting, meeting fees moreconsistent with the expense of putting together the meeting, and development ofendowed funds. The Society has supported some of its research commitments bydrawing from the Lennox and Lombroso Trust for Epilepsy Research & Training in thepast. We plan to unveil a development campaign to build a series of funds to supportboth research and education missions of the Society.

Epilepsy Currents has been in existence for almost 10 years and it has become a regularsource of information and commentary for our membership. The current contract forpublication of Epilepsy Currents with Wiley Blackwell will be expiring this year. We are inthe process of identifying publishers for this journal for the next five years. Our goal isfor Epilepsy Currents to be self-sustaining and serve as the official journal of the Society.

The American Epilepsy Society’s mission to improve the care of patients with epilepsy isgreatly aided by its collaboration with various government and nongovernmentorganizations. These include National Institutes of Health, National Institutes ofNeurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,Epilepsy Foundation, Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy, and Epilepsy TherapyProject, among others. These groups come together periodically to assess commonstrategies through the Vision 2020 Committee. A current focus of this group is to fullyunderstand and disseminate the public health burden of epilepsy. We believe it isimportant for the general public to understand that epilepsy affects the health and wellbeing of individuals not just by seizures but also multiple other disabilities thataccompany epilepsy. These accompanying disabilities of epilepsy are not well recognized.Further understanding of the disorder by the general public, policy makers andphilanthropic donors would help us serve our patient population better.

Let me end by thanking the dedicated staff of the American Epilepsy Society based outof our office in West Hartford, CT. We are still managed very ably by Suzanne Berry whohas been the Executive Director of our Society for the last 20 years. Sue’s dedicatedwork has been instrumental in the growth and development of our Society. We plan tocelebrate her contributions to our Society at the annual meeting in San Antonio, TX inDecember 2010. I hope you have already started making plans for the meeting.

Sincerely,

AES News is published three times a year by the American Epilepsy Society, American Branch,International League Against Epilepsy.

EditorDeepak K. Lachhwani, M.B.B.S., M.D.

Executive DirectorM. Suzanne C. Berry, M.B.A., CAEsberry@aesnet.org

Assistant Executive DirectorCheryl-Ann Tubby, IOM, CPPctubby@aesnet.org

Leadership LiaisonJean Fazzinojfazzino@aesnet.org

Membership ServicesKathy Huckskhucks@aesnet.org

Annual Meeting GroupJoLynn Amsdenjamsden@aesnet.orgCarol Ewing, CMPcewing@aesnet.orgElizabeth W. Kunsey, CMPekunsey@aesnet.orgElizabeth Pillsworth, CMP epillsworth@aesnet.org

Affiliate MeetingsFrancesca Blancofblanco@aesnet.org

Director of EducationJeff Melin, M.Ed., CMPjmelin@aesnet.org

Education GroupCindy Johanssoncjohansson@aesnet.org

Sandy Pizzoferrato spizzoferrato@aesnet.orgPaul Levisohn, M.D.plevisohn@aesnet.org

American Epilepsy Society342 North Main StreetWest Hartford, CT USA 06117-2507 Phone: 860.586.7505Fax: 860.586.7550

Web site: www.AESNET.org

Editorial DeadlinesSpring/Summer 2010 – May 4, 2010Fall 2010 – August 16, 2010Winter 2011 – January 2011

Membership consists of clinicians, scientistsinvestigating basic and clinical aspects ofepilepsy, and other professionals interested inseizure disorders. Members represent bothpediatric and adult aspects of epilepsy.

©2010 American Epilepsy Society.All rights reserved.

FROM THE PRESIDENT

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AESNEWS WINTER 2010

Jaideep Kapur, M.D., Ph.D.

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AESNEWS WINTER 2010

AES 2010 Board of DirectorsThe American Epilepsy Society installed the 2010 Board of Directors at the 63rd Annual Meeting in Boston. Pictured hereare the combined 2009 and 2010 Board, ex-officio members and staff.

PresidentJaideep Kapur, M.D., Ph.D.Charlottesville, VA

First Vice PresidentJohn M. Pellock, M.D.Richmond, VA

Second Vice PresidentFrances E. Jensen, M.D.Boston, MA

TreasurerMichael D. Privitera, M.D.Cincinnati, OH

Past PresidentSteven C. Schachter, M.D.Boston, MA

Board MembersAmy R. Brooks-Kayal, M.D.Aurora, CO

James C. Cloyd, Pharm.D.Minneapolis, MN

William D. Gaillard, M.D.Washington, D.C.

John Huguenard, Ph.D.Stanford, CA

Steven N. Roper, M.D.Gainesville, FL

Elson L. So, M.D.Rochester, MN

Ex-officioGregory K. Bergey, M.D.Epilepsy CurrentsBaltimore, MD

Brandy Fureman, Ph.D.NINDS/NIHBethesda, MD

Eric Hargis, CEOEpilepsy FoundationLandover, MD

Andres M. Kanner, M.D.AAN LiaisonChicago, IL

David M. Labiner, M.D.Council on EducationTucson, AZ

Cesare T. Lombroso, M.D., Ph.D.Boston, MA

Page B. Pennell, M.D. Epilepsy Foundation PABBoston, MA

Kevin Staley, M.D. Research & Training CommitteeCharlestown, MA

John Swann, Ph.D.ILAE LiaisonHouston, TX

Richard Wennberg, M.D.CLAE LiaisonToronto, ON Canada

AESNEWS WINTER 2010

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FROM THE BOARD ROOM

Amy R. Brooks-Kayal, M.D. isChief and Ponzio Family Chair inPediatric Neurology at TheChildren’s Hospital and Professorof Pediatrics and Neurology atthe University of Colorado Schoolof Medicine in Aurora, CO. Acurrent member of the AESBoard of Directors, Dr. Brooks-Kayal has served as the Chair ofthe Scientific ProgramCommittee and has also servedon several other AES and Child

Neurology Society committees and task forces. Shehas also served on a number of national scientificcommittees, including NIH study sections, the EpilepsyFoundation Research Committee and ScientificAdvisory Boards for Citizens United for Research inEpilepsy (CURE) and the National EpiFellowsFoundation. She is currently serving an additional yearon the AES Board to complete the term of FrancesJensen who was elected 2nd Vice President.

Q How long have you been a member of AES?A I’ve been a member since at least 1995, so about 15

years.

Q Why did you join?A At the time, I was a pediatric neurology resident

interested in a career in pediatric epilepsy. I was toldby colleagues that the AES meeting was the bestplace to learn about clinical issues, academics andresearch in epilepsy. So I got involved.

Q What did you expect to gain from membership inthe Society?

A Education, mostly. And to get to know others in thepediatric epilepsy community for collaboration andmentorship. Through the Society I met people likeGreg Holmes, Frances Jensen, Tallie Z. Baram, NicoMoshé and other prominent pediatric epilepsyclinician-scientists who were wonderful role models.

Q When you were nominated for your Board position,you were asked to write a vision statement. Did youaccomplish the things you thought you would?

A I had three main areas I wanted to concentrate onand was able to make progress on two of them:research funding and communication.

During my tenure on the Board we’ve worked hard onincreasing awareness of the need for researchfunding. The development of the Lennox and LombrosoTrust, turning it into an endowment for research andeducation and starting a development campaign hasbeen a great accomplishment for the Board that I’mproud to have been part of.

I believe we’ve made great strides in improvingcommunication between clinicians and researchersthrough integrating bench to bedside topics intoAnnual Meeting programs like the Merritt-Putnam.This effort has greatly enhanced the interaction andunderstanding of participants.

As a member of the newly formed GovernanceCommittee, I played a role in making the organizationand leadership of AES more transparent to members.I think this has been my greatest contribution to the

Society. We are continuing to work on streamliningand clarifying committee structures and reporting,clearly defining roles and charges and developingmechanisms for succession planning. The GovernanceCommittee is working with Committee Chairs tocreate a policy that considers passion, expertise andconstituencies for leadership positions. We are payingmore attention to skill sets, demographics, anddiversity as we choose future leaders. As Boardmembers, we’ve received training in leadership andgovernance and have started sharing that withCommittee Chairs through the new LeadershipDevelopment program which was offered for the firsttime at the December meeting. These efforts willhave a tremendous long-term impact on getting moreof our members interested in leadership andpreparing them for the role.

Q As you near the end of your term, what do you feelstill needs to be done?

A Education is an area where I didn’t accomplish asmuch as I wanted to. The Board is working with theappropriate committees on making the Web site moreuseful and content rich, which is an area I feel is veryimportant and still in need of improvement.

Q What are the biggest challenges facing the AES?A Simply put: lack of time and money. It’s harder and

harder for people to find time to volunteer becausethey are increasingly pulled away by their clinical andresearch work. We need to make volunteer work atAES compelling and relevant so they feel it’s the bestuse of their time.

One of the biggest challenges is the lack of fundingfor research and education that we will be facing overthe next few years. AES needs to make a strong casefor why investing in education for epilepsyprofessionals and research is important.

Q How have you gained personally or professionallyfrom being involved in AES?

A I became part of the epilepsy community. This is awonderful community of extremely passionate people.This has been of tremendous value to me, personallyand professionally.

Q What do you feel you have contributed to theSociety?

A Hopefully I’ve given a little passion back. I believe I’vebecome a role model for younger pediatric epilepsyphysician scientists by demonstrating that it ispossible to balance both clinical and researchcareers. It’s a difficult but manageable career paththat is extremely rewarding.

Q What pearls of wisdom can you give to newermembers?

A Think about what you are passionate about and getinvolved in those committees. Time is your mostvaluable resource. You need to take full advantage ofthis community and the networking opportunities. TheAES is a tremendous resource.

Q How can AES leadership influence the globaladvancement of epilepsy treatment?

A We could be most effective by advancing educationand research for epilepsy professionals because weare uniquely positioned to do so.

An Interview with Board Member Amy R. Brooks-Kayal, M.D.

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The Epilepsy Foundation and the American Epilepsy Societyhave long been concerned about the potential risk ofbreakthrough seizures or toxicity for some epilepsypatients if there is a formulation change in their anti-epileptic drug (AED). The change could be brand to generic,generic to brand, or most commonly between the genericversions from different manufacturers. Three largeretrospective case-control studies all show an associationbetween switching and elevated use of emergent care.1-3

This data resulted in The Medical Letter recommending“using one formulation (brand name or generic) consistentlyor, if consistency is not possible with generics, prescribingthe brand name routinely.”4

Responding to this issue, in December 2009, WellmarkBlue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa wrote to their membersnoting “Current literature regarding antiepileptic drugsindicates that existing users of brand name medicationswho switch to generic name medications after being onbrand name medication may experience epileptic eventsrequiring medical care.” Wellmark revised their policy sothat members do not have to pay the difference betweenbrand name and the generic for AEDs and, in fact,implemented the change retroactively and sent members arefund check for the cost difference over the previousseven months.

In February of this year the Epilepsy Foundation wrote toall the major insurance companies sharing the dataregarding switching and requesting that they adopt policiessimilar to the decision made by Wellmark. To date we havereceived a response from Amerigroup Corporationindicating a policy that members who are stabilized onbrand AED are not required to switch if the physicianprovides medical rationale. Other companies have verballyindicated they will also not require a switch with physicianrequest but do not have this as a written policy.

The Epilepsy Foundation and AES have similar positions inthat patients should not be switched without the consentof the physician and patient. While physicians can alwayswrite “dispense as written” if insurance does not cover themedication, few patients can afford their AED out of

pocket. As such, having insurance companies avoid financialrequirements to switch will allow the clinician to select thetreatment option he/she believes is best for the patient.

For AES members in clinical practice, we would encourageyou to appeal a coverage decision if you believe a switch isnot appropriate for your patient. Advise them that othercompanies have recognized a potential risk for somepatients when switched and that your opinion is thatcontinuity of formulation is medically necessary for thispatient.

Obviously the real solution to this issue is to haveprospective data to document what risks, if any, exist andhow to best ensure therapeutic equivalence. The EpilepsyFoundation supports the work of the AES Continuity ofSupply Task Group as it works with NINDS to design anFDA acceptable protocol and conduct a study. In theinterim, we believe AES clinicians and their patients shouldmake the treatment decision, not the insurance company.

Notes1. Zachry WM III, Doan QD, Clewell JD, Smith BJ. (2009)

Case-control analysis of ambulance, emergency room,or inpatient hospital events for epilepsy andantiepileptic drug formulation changes. Epilepsia50(3):493-500.

2. Rascati KL, Richards KM, Johnsrud MT, Mann TA.(2009) Effects of antiepileptic drug substitutions onepileptic events requiring acute care. Pharmacotherapy29(7):769-774.

3. Hansen RN, Campbell JD, Sullivan SD. (2009)Association between antiepileptic drug switching andepilepsy-related events. Epilepsy & Behavior 15(4):481-485.

4. Generic drugs revisited. (2009) The Medical Letter onDrugs and Therapeutics 51(1323):81-84.

EPILEPSY FOUNDATION UPDATENew Developments In Medication Switching IssueBy Eric Hargis

MEMBERNEWS

Congratulations to Martin J. Gallagher, M.D., Ph.D.,Assistant Professor of Neurology, Epilepsy Division,Vanderbilt University, on receiving the AAN’s Dreifuss-Penry Award this April. Dr. Gallagher is past recipientof a 2006 AES Early Career Physician-Scientist Award.

The Dreifuss-Penry Award is named for twoepileptologists who made outstanding contributions tothe epilepsy field. The award recognizes physicians inthe early stages of their careers who have made anindependent contribution to epilepsy research. As partof the award, Dr. Gallagher will present his research atthe AAN Awards Plenary Session during the 2010 AANAnnual Meeting.

Photo: VanderbiltUniversity

AESNEWS WINTER 2010

6

The international community of epilepsy specialists isproviding financial support and specialized medicalequipment contributed by a manufacturer to help re-establish clinical services in Haiti halted by the devastatingearthquake. Leading the effort are the International LeagueAgainst Epilepsy and its North American branches, theAmerican Epilepsy Society and Canadian League AgainstEpilepsy. Their goal also is to assure that clinical servicesare available to diagnose and treat any cases ofposttraumatic epilepsy that might result from head traumasustained in the earthquake.

The Port-au-Prince Epilepsy Clinic, which has treated morethan 1,000 seizure patients in the past 18 months, is nowin the process of being re-opened. In the immediate crisis,healthcare providers at the clinic have worked at the localuniversity hospital helping to care for the severely injured.The medical focus in Haiti is now being turned to specialtycare, including re-establishment of clinical services forpeople with epilepsy.

Lionel Carmant, M.D., of the University of Montreal, iscoordinating the international effort of support for theclinic. Dr. Carmant, who is Haitian, heads the epilepsy clinicand program of epilepsy research at Saint Justine Hospital

in Montreal. “Over the first week post re-opening, theclinic saw more than 600 patients, and we are hoping toconduct studies on the outcome of head trauma,” said Dr.Carmant recently. Dr. Carmant will be visiting the clinic atthe end of March to help with the evaluation of newlydiagnosed epilepsies and to distribute medications.

Donations of medications have been received from Canadianpharmaceutical companies. Astro-Med, Inc., themanufacturer of electronic medical instrumentation andother specialty equipment, has already contributed aportable EEG system. The portable system is urgentlyneeded to provide clinical services in the field, as fewpatients can now get to the clinic. Another EEG machinehas been donated by Stellate and an additional machinewas offered by Nihon Kohden.

Contributions in support of the special campaign to assistthe Port-au-Prince Epilepsy Clinic have been pouring in from the AES and CLAE membership and others. So far you have contributed $12,500!!! Contributions are still being accepted for la Clinique d’epilepsie de Port-au-Prince, care of the American Epilepsy Society athttps://www.aesnet.org/go/haiti.

Thank you so much for your incredible compassion andgenerosity — truly, you are a wonderful group of gifted andgiving individuals!

Port-au-Prince, Haiti Epilepsy Clinic — Progress Update and Challenge!

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Dr. Sévère, trained in EEG by Lionel Carmant, Daphné, an EEG Technicianand Dr. Serge Pierre-Louis of Stroger Cook County Hospital, Chicago duringa visit to the clinic in February.

Dr. Sévère and a patient at the clinic after the re-opening.

Contributions are still being accepted for la Clinique d’epilepsie de Port-au-Prince, care of the American Epilepsy Society at

https://www.aesnet.org/go/haiti.

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NINDS UPDATE

There are numerous NIH fundingopportunities and resources currentlyavailable for translational researchdesigned to bring basic sciencediscoveries to the point of clinicaltesting. Opportunities include assaydevelopment for high throughputscreening, target identification, medicinalchemistry for lead optimization, proof-of-principle testing, toxicity profiling, andother activities in preparation for

Investigational New Drug (IND) or Investigational DeviceExemption (IDE) applications to the FDA. Investigators areencouraged to use multiple programs to support variousstages of therapy development, and to consult withprogram staff as early as possible.

ROADMAP MOLECULAR LIBRARIES AND IMAGING INITIATIVEhttp://nihroadmap.nih.gov/molecularlibraries/

This program offers public sector biomedical researchersaccess to the large-scale screening capacity necessary toidentify small molecule pharmaceutical tools.

PAR-09-251: Optimization of Small Molecule Probes for theNervous System (R21)http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-09-251.html

This program encourages research grant applications thatpropose to develop new small molecule probes forinvestigating biological function in the nervous system.Eligible investigators will have identified probe candidatesvia screening of small molecule collections, using in vitroassays of biological activity developed to interrogate thesecollections, and be able to show that the structuralfeatures of these small molecules are related to theirbiological activity. Proposals should nominate small moleculeprobe candidates from distinct structural series for thefurther, iterative design and testing of analogues instructure-activity relationship studies, using in vitro assaysof biological function adapted to the medium throughputscreening requirements of this work. These studies shouldhave the goal of developing a small molecule probepossessing the attributes (eg: affinity, selectivity, activity)required for its use in future pharmacological studiesproposed by the investigator.

NIH Rapid Access to Interventional Development (RAID) Programhttp://www.nihroadmap.nih.gov/raid/

The NIH has established the RAID Program to makeavailable, on a competitive basis, certain critical resourcesneeded for the development of new therapeutic agents.Services available include: production, bulk supply, GMPmanufacturing, formulation, development of an assaysuitable for pharmacokinetic testing, and animal toxicology.Assistance also will be provided in the regulatory process,through access to independent product developmentplanning expertise. Proposals in support of animal efficacystudies or synthesis and formulation of recombinantproteins or monoclonal antibodies will not be accepted.

NIH-RAID is not a grant program. Successful projects willgain access to the government’s contract resources, aswell as the assistance of the NIH in establishing andimplementing a product development plan.

NEW! PAR-10-001 Drug Discovery for Nervous SystemDisorders (R01)http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-10-001.html

The objective of this program is to stimulate submission ofapplications aimed at the discovery of agents forameliorating, modifying, or correcting potential aberrationsin brain signaling. These agents should be designed toaffect fundamental processes associated with disease,such as neuronal dysfunction, growth, migration, plasticity,death, and loss of connectivity, by targeting molecules andcellular mechanisms such as neurotransmitters,neuropeptides, bioactive lipids, neuromodulators, andneurotrophins; receptors and ion channels; second andthird messenger systems; protein synthesis, aggregation,and degradation; energy utilization; gene expression;neural-glial communication; and oxidative, immunological,and inflammatory mechanisms. Research projects mayinclude any activities required to identify, optimize, andvalidate potential therapeutic candidates.

Countermeasures Against Chemical Threats (CounterACT)http://www.ninds.nih.gov/research/counterterrorism/counterACT_home.htm

The CounterACT Program is an NIH managed program toenhance our diagnostic and treatment response capabilitiesduring an emergency by developing better therapeutic anddiagnostic medical countermeasures against chemicalthreat agents

NINDS Translational Programs

NINDS Anticonvulsant Screening Programhttp://www.ninds.nih.gov/research/asp/index.htm

The NINDS Anticonvulsant Screening Program offerstesting services that help predict early humananticonvulsant efficacy and late stage toxicity of candidatecompounds. The ASP strives to provide other discoveryincentives such as characterization, optimization andprofiling of novel antiseizure/anticonvulsant agents. Thebiological information generated provides insight concerningthe pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties ofsubmitted compounds. All screening results belong to thesubmitter and are kept confidential. The ASP has providedessential development support for many of the currentlymarketed treatments.

NINDS Cooperative Program in Translational Researchhttp://www.ninds.nih.gov/research/translational

Exploratory/Developmental Projects Announcement: PAR-08-232Single-Component Research Projects Announcement: PAR-08-233Multi-Component Research Projects Announcement: PAR-08-234Small Business Awards Announcement: PAR-08-235The NINDS also supports a Cooperative Program inTranslational Research for projects directed at developingnew therapies for IND/IDE submission. Opportunities areavailable for exploratory/development projects, full-scale,single- or multi-component projects, and small businessgrants.

Update on NIH Translational Research OpportunitiesBy Brandy Fureman, Ph.D.

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2009 Annual Meeting RecapContinued from page 1

Dr. Thomas P. Sutula proudlyaccepted the Society’s mostprestigious professional awardfrom President SteveSchachter, Lennox andLombroso Trustee BraxtonWannamaker and ResearchRecognition Award CommitteeChair, Jackie French. TheWilliam G. Lennox Award isfunded through the Lennox andLombroso Trust for EpilepsyResearch & Training and wasestablished to recognize

members of the Society, usually at a senior level, who have arecord of lifetime contributions and accomplishments relatedto epilepsy.

Annamaria Vezzani, Ph.D. ofMario Negri Institute forPharmacological Research inMilano, Italy received the 2009Basic Science InvestigatorAward on December 7, 2009during the annual PresidentialSymposium. Josemir (Ley)Sander, M.D., Ph.D., FRCP ofUCL Institute of Neurology andNational Hospital forNeurology and Neurosurgery inLondon, UK received the 2009Clinical Investigator Award.Drs. Vezzani and Sander alsohad the honor of presentingKeynote Addresses abouttheir research during theAnnual Meeting.

The 2009 J. Kiffin PenryExcellence in EpilepsyCare Award was alsopresented during theAnnual Meeting. AllanKrumholz, M.D. of theUniversity of MarylandSchool of Medicine,University of MarylandEpilepsy Center andBaltimore VeteransAdministration EpilepsyCenter of Excellence received this recognition on December5th. The award, presented by President Steve Schachter andPenry Award Subcommittee Chair, Edward Bertram,recognizes his lifelong focus on and genuine concern for thepatient with epilepsy as well as having a major impact onpatient care and improving the lives of persons with epilepsy.

Dr. L. James Willmore receivedthe AES Service Award onDecember 5 from PresidentSteve Schachter and ServiceAward Subcommittee Chair,Samuel Wiebe. This awardrecognizes an AES memberwho provides outstandingservice in the field of epilepsyand exemplary contributions tothe welfare of the AES and itsmembers.

Nominations for these awards are solicited by the ResearchRecognition Award Committee during the summer, reviewedearly in the fall and the awardees are selected based on a listof criteria. The procedure for nominating can be found on theWeb site at http://www.aesnet.org/go/research/research-awards.

The Council on Education, the Annual Meeting Committee andstaff are reviewing your feedback submitted through theonline Evaluator system. Keeping in mind that there are somethings that can’t be changed, your ratings and commentsare reviewed and analyzed each year and are considered inthe planning of coming years. Everyone acknowledged thatspace seemed inadequate this past year in Boston, but whenalmost 900 people register onsite instead of in advance, it’shard to plan for them. Providing food is also not an easyproblem to solve with drastic reductions in commercialsupport of the meeting. The budget for the 2010 meeting iscurrently being drafted and all involved (volunteers and staff)know that registration rates can’t go much higher.

Here’s a sample of some of the feedback that theCommittees need to analyze:

• Shorten the meeting• Add a day to the meeting• Run fewer concurrent sessions• Compress the meeting/ overlap sessions more • Avoid scheduling conflicts . . . too much good information

. . . not enough time• Make most of the core meetings over Fri-Sat-Sun and

less on Mon-Tues• Have the meeting from Monday to Friday and not on the

weekend.In addition to trying to resolve these conflicting instructions,the Committees consider feedback, such as:

• The food is not healthy and the amount is not sufficientfor everyone

• Cheaper registration fee

• A warm location

• Less redundancy in programs

• Dedicated time for posters, with no competing symposia

• Limit symposia to daytime — meetings late into theevening are difficult

• More evening social sessions, to provide a chance tonetwork

• Increase platform sessions

• Handouts provided at the time of the meetings

• Bring in new and fresh faces as faculty

• Include more basic science in relation to clinical researchwithout dividing into two

• Include more topics that can be immediately utilized inclinical practice

• Make access to CME more obvious.

• More “end seats” since everyone tends to sit on the endof the row!

Well, we are still working on how to do that last one.Otherwise, encouraging symposia planners to use new, freshfaces and incorporating basic and clinical science intoprograms are ongoing projects. Paper handouts wereeliminated two years ago to save money and green themeeting. Handouts are available on the Web site immediatelyprior to the meeting. As for warmer locations, site selectionis in process for meetings through 2015 and none are in thenortheast (though this winter has proven that a southernlocation doesn’t eliminate the possibility of snow).Photos: Lagniappe Studios, Inc.

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Annual Meeting Photos

Photos: Lagniappe Studios, Inc.

AESNEWS WINTER 2010

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The AES annual meeting provides a major opportunity forincreasing awareness of the Society and the work of itsmembers. To expand media coverage of this annual event,press room operations for the meeting were recentlyrestructured. The result has been a four-fold increase inpublished reports for the most recent meeting held inDecember.

More than 200 reports referencing the AES annualmeeting appeared in print and online during December2009 through January 2010 compared to 45 publishedreports for the same period the previous year. Thepublished articles, including two news reports in JAMA andarticles in at least fivelanguages, generated 64million media impressions (ametric for the number ofpotential readers/onlinevisitors who have seen thepublished reports).

The December meeting markedthe third year in which aspecial media briefing was heldfor journalists onsite and

remotely by telephone. Presenters for the briefing, areport on the treatment gap in epilepsy, were Steven C.Schachter, M.D. (AES); Patrick Kwan, M.D., Ph.D. (ILAE);and Eric Hargis (Epilepsy Foundation).

Eight ‘mini-briefings’ were held throughout the course ofthe meeting, a new feature giving journalists onsite theopportunity for informal, sit-down interviews withscientists and session presenters. The mini-briefingsinvolved seventeen researchers and fourteen scientificreports. The majority of reports concerned basic andtranslational science, research areas typically given lesscoverage by journalists attending previous AES annual

meetings.

AES staff and members of therecently established AESCouncil on Communications arenow working to establish ayear round media outreachbuilding on this success andincreasing visibility of the ofthe Society and its members.

Major Increase in Press Reports from AES Annual Meeting

CALL FORABSTRACTS

SAN ANTONIO, TXHENRY B. GONZALES CONVENTION CENTER

December 3 -7, 2010

AMERICAN EPILEPSY SOCIETY

64TH ANNUAL MEETING3rd Biennial North American Regional Epilepsy Congress

2010Important Abstract DatesMarch 1, 2010 Abstract submission site opens

June 1, 2010 Submission site closes at 11:59 p.m. (ET)

August 23, 2010 Acceptance notifications sent via e-mail

Submit abstracts online at www.AESNET.org. The submission site opens on Monday, March 1, 2010 and closes on Tuesday, June 1, 2010. Detailed instructions are on the submitter Web site.Please Note: A $35 fee for each abstract submission is now in effect. This fee covers the cost of abstract processing and will also help AES maintain the excellent quality of our Annual Meeting. Abstract submissions are the cornerstoneof our scientific program and we thank you for your support.

The author is responsible for reading all guidelines and procedures before submitting an abstract. Tables, graphs and illustrations are allowed. Both members and non-members are encouraged to submit. All presenters for acceptedabstracts are required to register for the Annual Meeting.

It is the author’s responsibility to ensure that the abstract is submitted via the online abstract submitter no later than 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Tuesday, June 1, 2010. There will be NO extensions or exceptions to the deadline.

2010 ABSTRACT SUBMISSION

Abstract ProgramThe following will be selected from accepted abstracts:

• Basic Science Poster Sessions• Nurse and Investigator Awards• Pediatric Highlights Session• Platform Sessions• Poster Sessions

Abstract PublicationAll accepted abstracts will be published in October 2010. Further details will be forthcoming.

The AES invites you to submit abstracts for the 2010 Annual Meeting.The submission site opens on Monday, March 1, 2010 and closes onTuesday, June 15, 2010. You may submit abstracts online atwww.AESNET.org. Detailed instructions are also available on theSubmitter Web site.

Please Note: A $35 fee for each abstract submission is now in effect. Thisfee covers the cost of abstract processing and will also help AES maintainthe excellent quality of our Annual Meeting. Abstract submissions are thecornerstone of our scientific program and we thank you for your support.

The author is responsible for reading all guidelines and procedures beforesubmitting an abstract. Tables, graphs and illustrations are allowed. Bothmembers and non-members are encouraged to submit.

It is the author’s responsibility to ensure that the abstract is submittedvia the Online Abstract Submitter no later than 11:59 p.m. (ET) onTuesday, June 1, 2010. There will be NO extensions or exceptions to thedeadline.

Important Abstract Dates:March 1, 2010 Abstract submission site opensJune 15, 2010 Submission site closes at 11:59 p.m. (ET)August 23, 2010 Acceptance notices sent via e-mail

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SIGnalsSIGnals provides ongoing information on the activities of AESSpecial Interest Groups (SIGs). For more information on currentSIGs or guidelines for creating a SIG, visit the AES Web site atwww.aesnet.org.

Programming Neurostimulation Devices: The Nuts andVoltsJames W. Wheless, M.D.

The 2009 AES Neurostimulation SIG attracted almost 500people. The audience listened as experts in the fielddiscussed the basic neurophysiology that influencesparameter selection for the differing neurostimulationdevices, and how this affects the stimulation parametersthat are chosen. They specifically discussed how thisaffected the parameters chosen as it relates to clinicalefficacy and side-effect profile, specific to each form ofstimulation. Anthony Crowley, from Cyberonics, began bydiscussing the parameters for peripheral Vagus NerveStimulation. He initially reviewed the basics of Vagus NerveStimulation, provided an overview of the parameters andthen showed how the physiology of the peripheral nerveand its composition affected the parameter selection. Hethen revealed a new computer model of the vagus nerveand showed how this was helping engineers to evaluatewhich changes in peripheral nerve parameter selectionwould activate the most fibers. This data was used toshow how decisions were made in determining pulse widthand output current for Vagus Nerve Stimulation.

His presentation was followed by Dr. Paul Stypulkowskifrom Medtronics. He discussed the selection of stimulationparameters for deep brain stimulation. He initially reviewedwhat deep brain stimulation (DBS) for movement disordershas taught us, as more than 60,000 patients have beenimplanted, and how this can be applied to patients withepilepsy. He began by reviewing the concepts of spatial andtemporal components for DBS. Using models, hedemonstrated how the type of stimulation (monopolar vs.bipolar) could influence the field and how the intensity ofthe stimulation could influence the extent of the field. Healso reviewed how the pulse width changes could affect thestimulation area around the electrode. He then reviewedhow the changes in stimulation frequency could contributeto the temporal component of DBS stimulation. He closedby contrasting DBS for movement disorder wherecontinuous stimulation is used to affect a continuoussymptom, with epilepsy where intermittent stimulation isused to treat a paroxysmal disorder. At the end, heshowed how a new sheep epilepsy model is helping us tolearn even more about intermittent stimulation forepilepsy, and how the affect of stimulation outlasts theperiod the stimulation is given.

Finally, Dr. Felice Sun, the Senior Clinical Scientist atNeuroPace, presented the data for responsiveneurostimulation (RNS). To date there are more than 525patient years of stimulation experience with this device.She initially discussed how the detection paradigms work inreal time, are adjustable and patient specific. She showedthe tools utilized to help with the detection program andhow these may be modified to improve detection for eachpatient. She then reviewed how their device deliversstimulation to cortical and hippocampal targets. Shereviewed the safe charged density with the device and thetypical parameters for either neocortical or mesialtemporal lobe epilepsy. It was noted that higher intensityof stimulation are typically used for neocortical epilepsyand higher frequencies of stimulation are typically used fortemporal lobe epilepsy.

All three speakers kept the audience fully engagedthroughout the 90-minute session. The audience left havinga glimpse into the science that underlies the selection ofparameters for different types of neurostimulation, andhow further animal studies in this area may allow us toimprove efficacy of these devices. We look forward to the2010 AES Neurostimulation SIG in San Antonio, TX andhope you will plan on joining us there.

The Quality and Value Indicators in the Care of Patientswith EpilepsyJoseph I. Sirven, M.D.

On December 3, 2009, the Quality and Value Indicators inthe Care of Patients with Epilepsy (SIG) met as part of theAES Meeting in Boston, MA. The SIG had standing roomonly attendance as Dr. Richard Zimmerman from MayoClinic Arizona, Paul Van Ness, M.D. from the University ofTexas at Southwestern in Dallas and Dr. Nathan Fountainfrom the University of Virginia each discussed theupcoming implementation of the Quality and ValueIndicators for the Care of Outpatients with Epilepsy. Thesespeakers outlined the quality movement in the creation ofmetrics that are measurable by government and healthcare organizations as a marker for quality. Drs. Van Nessand Fountain specifically presented the eight proposedepilepsy quality metrics which will need to be addressed ineach and every visit with patients with epilepsy in order toassure quality care. A spirited discussion ensued aspractitioners realized that these metrics will now be astandard part of measurement of epilepsy quality carethroughout the United States. For 2010, we will addressrefinement of these quality metrics, introduce the use ofthese candidate proposals for performance in practice aspart of maintenance of certification modules in neurologyand how best to optimize quality research in the field ofepilepsy. We look forward to the 2010 AES meeting in SanAntonio, TX.

MEG SIGJerry Shih, M.D.

The theme of the 2009 program was to review the “bestof field” studies in adult epilepsy, pediatric epilepsy, andcognitive neurosciences over the past five years.Discussants were also requested to hypothesize whatwould be major findings in the next five years. Dr. WilliamSutherling presented two randomized, controlled studiesdemonstrating the added value of MEG to the pre-surgicalevaluation of select adult patients with medically refractoryepilepsy. A lively discussion ensued regarding the patientsthat may benefit most from MEG. There was agreementamongst attendees that further randomized, controlled,preferably multi-center, studies were necessary to definethe role of MEG in the pre-surgical evaluation. Dr. HiroshiOtsubo presented the Toronto experience with usingSAMg2 and kurtosis in pediatric MEG studies. There waslively discussion regarding SAMg2 versus other localizationalgorithms. Dr. Eduardo Castillo comprehensively reviewedthe seminal MEG studies involving cognitive neurosciences,and noted slow but steady progress establishing MEG’sability to reliably lateralize language function. The potentialfor MEG to lateralize memory function and possibly replacethe WADA study was discussed. Over 200 membersattended the program.

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AESNEWS WINTER 2010

AESNEWS WINTER 2010

SleepCarl W. Bazil, M.D., Ph.D.

The Sleep SIG was treated this year to a whirlwind tour ofresearch regarding the role of sleep in memory by JeffreyEllenbogen, a sleep neurologist and Chief of the SleepDivision at Massachusetts General Hospital. He began withwork from nearly 100 years ago, showing that declarativememory performance improves after a period of sleepcompared with wakefulness. At that time this finding wastossed aside as merely reflecting that distraction (inwakefulness) makes it more difficult to remember – but thiswas also in an age when even less was known about sleep.Subsequent, more rigorous studies showed thatinterference was not a factor; sleep itself was required,and improvement occurred even in the presence ofdistraction. This has led to even more elegantinvestigations which clearly show that several types ofmemory improve when followed by a period of sleep.Perhaps more exciting is that complex processing – suchas that needed to make indirect inferences – not onlyrequires sleep, but takes place on a subconscious level. Therelevance to epilepsy patients is potentially profound onmany levels, as seizures are known to interfere with sleep,and memory dysfunction is commonplace. At present thereis very little research specifically addressing this question;much of the subsequent discussion centered on specificepilepsy syndromes (such as ESES) where this may beparticularly relevant, and ways this question could beaddressed in epilepsy patients.

Basic NeuroscienceCeline Dubé, Ph.D.

This year, the Basic Neuroscience SIG focused on adiscussion of cognitive deficits after early–life seizures andtheir mechanisms. Dr. C. Dubé from the University ofCalifornia, Irvine, discussed whether or not early lifeseizures may lead to cognitive defects later in life. Shepointed out the critical parameters: age, seizure types,and methods for assessing the deficits. She alsomentioned the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) todefine biomarkers for cognitive defects in the model ofexperimental prolonged febrile seizures. Dr. T. Benke, fromthe University of Colorado, discussed his work with anemphasis on some of the mechanisms that may underliethe cognitive impairments after an episode of neonatalseizures. He demonstrated that hippocampal-dependentmemory and plasticity abnormalities are associated withalterations of glutamate receptor trafficking, as well asscaffolding proteins. Dr. P. P. Lenck-Santini, fromDartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, gave an overview ofthe most suitable cognitive tests and their meanings. Healso discussed the association between place cell firingpatterns and spatial and learning memory performancesfollowing early life seizures. Dr. Lenck-Santini indicated thepitfalls of some tests and their interpretations. Questionswere asked after each presentation and an activediscussion with the panel followed after the three talks.Topics for 2010 are under consideration; please contactCeline Dubé at cdube@uci.edu or Michael Wong atwong_m@neuro.wustl.edu to submit suggestions.

Women’s Issues in EpilepsyCoordinator: Katherine Noe, M.D., Ph.D.

The 2009 Women’s Issues in Epilepsy SIG focused on thecare of the adolescent female with epilepsy. Although thesession fell at the very close of the annual meeting, turn-out was excellent with about 80 audience participants. RajSheth, M.D. of Nemours Children’s Clinic in Jacksonville, FLpresented data on vitamin D deficiency and disorders ofbone growth and development in this population. In thesubsequent audience discussion, it was clear that mostproviders are aware of issues of bone health in personswith epilepsy. However, while the majority of SIGparticipants endorsed the use of prophylactic vitamin Dsupplementation there was greater variability in practiceregarding use of screening and other diagnostic tests.Difficulties with maintaining consistent practice and thelack of evidence based guidelines for the adolescentpopulation were recognized as challenges by the group.Mary Zupanc, M.D. of the Medical College of Wisconsinprovided a practical, case-based discussion of commonissues and challenges faced in the provision of clinical careto young women with epilepsy. The benefits of checklistsand use of nurse/allied health educators in facilitatingoptimal care for this group were well illustrated. Theadvantage of working with a team of providers skilled in thetreatment of adolescents was also stressed. Finally,Katherine Nickels, M.D. from Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MNreviewed the psychosocial challenges faced by youngwomen with seizures including mood disorders, schoolperformance, reproductive health, self esteem and stigma.Young women with epilepsy may be particularly vulnerable,and are at risk in the long-term for lower than expectededucational and vocational outcomes, as well as decreasedquality of life. The need for greater attention and researchinto the unique challenges faced by adolescents withepilepsy is recognized. James McAuley, Ph.D. from the OhioState College of Pharmacy once again provided an annualbibliography of articles relevant to women with epilepsypublished in 2009. For anyone unable to attend the SIGwho is interested in an electronic copy, please contact Dr.Katherine Noe at noe.katherine@mayo.edu. Many thanks tothis year’s speakers and participants for their ongoingsupport. The 2010 Women’s SIG will be coordinated by Dr.Mary Zupanc and Lisa Bateman, M.D. from the Universityof California, Davis. The topic for next year’s SIG is still tobe determined.

Psychiatrics Aspects: The Impact of the FDA Warning onAED-Related Suicidality Risk Andres M. Kanner, M.D.

In January 2008, the FDA issued a warning indicating thatAEDs increase the risk of suicidal ideation and behavior andmandated manufacturers of all AEDs to include suchwarning in the package insert of their drugs. Such warningclearly indicates that physicians have to screen patientsfor risks associated for increased suicidality and monitorfor the occurrence of any psychiatric symptomatologyduring treatment. Such a warning has generally beenneglected by most clinicians. The purpose of this SIG wasto present screening instruments to identify increasedsuicidal risk in adults and children by practicingneurologists and to obtain the perspective of a lawyer onthis issue.

SignalsContinued from page 11

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AESNEWS WINTER 2010

Despite the fact that this SIG was scheduled on the lastday and at the last slot, there was enough interest fromour members as 42 people attended the meeting.Furthermore, the meeting was featured in a Medscapepiece on the Internet.

The first presentation was by Mr. William Mandell, a lawyerwho works in the health field. He was quite explicit on thelegal responsibility of all clinicians in enforcing the warning,whether they accept its validity or not. Failure to do soleaves clinicians vulnerable to law suits if patients were toattempt or commit suicide. Mr. Mandell’s presentationgenerated great interest and he answered multiplequestions from the audience.

The second part of the meeting was dedicated to thepresention and discussion of screening instruments thatneurologists and pediatric neurologists can use to identifypatients with an increased suicidality risk in adults andchildren with epilepsy. The screening instruments proposedfor adult patients (the NDDI-E and the item 9 of the BDI-II)were readily accepted by the audience. On the other hand,there was much debate on the instruments proposed forpediatric populations. Speakers included ChildPsychiatrists, Drs. David Dunn and Rochelle Caplan;Neurologists, Drs. Alan Ettinger and Curt LaFrance; andAdult Psychiatrist, Dr. John Barry.

SUDEPJeffrey Buchhalter, M.D.

The 2010 SUDEP SIG was attended by approximately 90people. This was considered an excellent turnout for anafternoon session on the last day of the meeting. The Co-Chairs of the SIG were Drs. Jeff Buchhalter and Elson So.Three presentations each lasted 10-15 minutes and werefollowed by audience discussion.

Jeff Buchhalter reviewed the creation of the SUDEPCoalition. It was derived from an American Epilepsy Societyand Epilepsy Foundation Task Force (June 2007) followed bya NINDS Workshop (November 2008) that was sponsoredby the NINDS, American Epilepsy Society, EpilepsyFoundation and CURE. The scientific session exploredclinical risk factors, cardiac and autonomic mechanisms,methodology for case identification and preventativemeasures. The Education session addressed ethical issues,methods of educating patients, families and physicians aswell as the possibility of developing specific practiceguidelines. The sponsoring members continued to meet byteleconference as the SUDEP Coalition. Progress madethus far includes: planning for a SUDEP registry, surveys ofphysicians, EF affiliate and patient/family attitudesregarding SUDEP and plans for SUDEP information on theAES Web site.

Joan Austin provided a detailed summary of the NINDSWorkshop Education session. The ethical arguments forand against discussing SUDEP with patients and familieswere reviewed. The consensus of the group was that themost powerful reasons for discussion included preparing afamily for a potentially catastrophic outcome, emphasizingthe need for treatment compliance and reassuringindividuals when the risk of SUDEP is extremely low. Thisinformation needs to be tailored to the needs of theindividual with regard to when and how it is delivered. Thequestionnaire that was developed by the work group toassess patient readiness to learn was circulated to theaudience who then provided discussion and feedbackregarding the questions. These will be incorporated intothe final draft.

Dr. Sam Wiebe then provided a PubMed literature reviewindicating that there were twelve articles published in theyear 1989 and 266 in 2009. However, only four of thearticles published in 2009 were original research, whereasthe others were reviews and commentaries. He alsoreviewed the funded research proposals during the last fiveyears: five from the Epilepsy Foundation, eight from CUREand three from the NINDS. Current efforts were discussedincluding the MORTEMUS project examining deaths inepilepsy monitoring units, as well as animal models,emphasizing a recent paper describing cardiac arrhythmiasrelated to seizures in a mouse model with a potassiumchannel mutation. Possibilities for future directions interms of case findings via coroners’ reports, surrogatemarkers and a SUDEP registry were discussed.

For more 2009 SIG summaries, more detailedinformation and to discuss these topics, go to theMessage Board on www.aesnet.org, available under theMembers Only section.

SignalsContinued from page 12

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NINDS UpdateContinued from page 7

PAR-09-063 Advanced Neural Prosthetics Research andDevelopment Programhttp://www.ninds.nih.gov/research/npp/

This program provides support for translational and pilotclinical studies, including the design, development, anddemonstration of clinically-useful neural prosthetic devices.

Small Business Programhttp://www.ninds.nih.gov/funding/small-business/

Funding is also available for small business to supportinnovative ideas at different stages of development,including applied bench research, translational research, andearly stage clinical trials.

NINDS Program Contacts for Translational Research inEpilepsy:William Matthew, Ph.D., Director, NINDS Office ofTranslational Research (E-mail: Bill.Matthew@nih.gov)

Jim Stables, M.S., R.Ph., Program Director, NINDS ASP (E-mail: js131e@nih.gov)

Randy Stewart, Ph.D., Program Director, ChannelsSynapses & Circuits Cluster (E-mail: rs416y@nih.gov)

Brandy Fureman, Ph.D., Program Director, ChannelsSynapses & Circuits Cluster (E-mail: furemanb@mail.nih.gov)

AESNEWS WINTER 2010

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March 17-20, 20101st International Congress, 2010Brain and Mind Prague, Czech Republicwww.epilepsy-brain-mind2010.eu

March 26-28, 2010 13th Annual Meeting of theInfantile Seizure Society (ISS)Howard Plaza Hotel, Taipei, Taiwanwww.isenmd2010taipei.org

April 10-17, 2010 American Academy of Neurology2010Toronto, Canadawww.aan.com

April 25-29, 2010Tenth Eilat Conference on NewAntiepileptic Drugs (Eliat X)Isrotel Royal Beach Hotel Eilat, Israel www.eilat-aeds.com

April 28 – May 1, 2010Progressive Myoclonus Epilepsiesin the New MillenniumVenice, San Servolo, Italywww.fondazione-mariani.org

May 9-12, 201015th International EndoscopicNeurosurgery Workshop 2010Holiday Inn ExpressGhent, Belgiumwww.neuroendoscopy.org

May 19-22, 20102010 - 3rd International EpilepsyColloquiumCleveland, OHcasemed.case.edu/cme/

June 19-23, 2010 20th Meeting of the EuropeanNeurological SocietyBerlin, Germany www.ensinfo.org

June 27-July 1, 20109th ECERhodes, Greeceepilepsyrhodes2010.org

August 1-4, 20106th Latin American Congress onEpilepsy Cartagena, Columbia www.epilepsiacartagena2010.org/

August 13-14, 2010Cleveland Clinic's Third BiennialEpilepsy Surgery Family Reunion Embassy Suites Cleveland-Rockside, Independence, OH www.clevelandclinic.org

August 25-27, 201012th European Conference onEpilepsy and SocietyPorto, Portugal www.epilepsyandsociety.org/

October 21-24, 20108th AOEC Melbourne, Australiawww.epilepsymelbourne2010.org

November 13-17, 2010Neuroscience 2010San Diego, CAwww.sfn.org/am2010

December 3-7, 2010AES 64th Annual MeetingSan Antonio, TXwww..org

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

� Annual Fundamentals of Epilepsy: Neurophysiology 101

� Hot Topics Symposium: Biomarkers in Epilepsy

� Spanish Symposium: Pitfalls in Diagnosis and Treatment of Epilepsy

� 7th Judith Hoyer Lecture in Epilepsy: Battling Epilepsy withModels and Molecules

� Professionals in Epilepsy Care Symposium: Predictors andMethodologies of Epilepsy Self-Management

� Merritt-Putnam Symposium: Beyond Seizures: MechanismsUnderlying Epilepsy Spectrum Disorder

� Antiepileptic Therapy Symposium: Treatment Strategies for the Patient with Epilepsy

� Annual Course: Selecting Patients for Epilepsy Surgery

� Presidential Symposium: It Takes a Village: Solving the Treatment Gap

� Pediatric State of the Art Symposium: Treatable MetabolicEpilepsies

� Plenary II: The Postictal and Interictal Periods: What Are We Missing?

� International League Against Epilepsy Symposium: RedefiningTreatment-Resistant Epilepsy

� Plenary III: ICU Monitoring

The American Epilepsy Society is proud to offer a wide variety of sessions repurposed from the

2009 Annual Meeting – Boston, MA.

These online sessions integrate knowledge and dynamic interaction to enhance the online learning experience for

epilepsy-related professionals. Each session delivers interactive knowledge as presented at the Annual Meeting andprovides quality continuing medical education for physicians,

researchers and other professionals whose goal is to improve the quality of life for those with epilepsy and other

seizure-related disorders.

63 RD ANNUAL MEETING OF THEAMERICAN EPILEPSY SOCIETY

NOW AVAILABLE!

ONLINE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

www.AESNET.org