Albanian League Against Epilepsy

Meetings
Two national conferences on epilepsy, conference on Reflex Epilepsy, with participation of Peter Wolf, April 2005.

Summary of Activities in 2004 and 2005

• The beginning of organization of a National Registry of Epilepsy in the University Service of Neurology, UHC Mother Theresa, Tirana.
• Active participation in International Congresses on Epilepsy (Vienna, Paris).
• The epidemiology of epilepsy as a part of a collaborative project on neuroepidemiology with Mariani Foundation and Mario Negri Institute, Milan, Italy. After a year of preparation of questionnaires, the door-to-door study began in September 2005.

Educational Activities

The organization of periodic courses on epilepsy diagnosis and treatment with participation of neurologists, pediatric and family doctors.

Future Plans

• To continue the neuroepidemiology study and to extend it in 10,000 people.
• To set up an epilepsy unit.
• To continue educational activities with young neurologists.

Officer Election Date
12 December 2004

Report Submitted By:
Jera Kruj

Algerian League Against Epilepsy

Summary of Activities in 2004 and 2005

• Every year a National Epilepsy Day is organized in close collaboration with the main lay organization, Association d’Aide aux Epileptiques (AMEL).
• The two last meetings (2004 and 2005) took place in Oran, in western Algeria. Each meeting included a medical and a social part.

Summary of Activities in Relation to Global Campaign in 2004 and 2005

• Pharmaceutical issues: The president of the Algerian Chapter is involved in the Health Department Commission dealing with the choice of antiepileptic drugs.
• In the same field, epilepsy has been officially recognized as a chronic condition allowing patients to get antiepileptic drugs with 100% reimbursement by the social security services.

Educational Activities

• Several symposia (topics: Epilepsy in Childhood, Surgery, AED, Social Issues, etc.) with the support of pharmaceutical companies.
• Regular participation in national and international congresses.

Activities in Conjunction with Local IBE Affiliate
The local IBE affiliate is AMEL (“hope” in Arabic). They plan the opening of an epilepsy clinic (with help from the EU) and a special school for disabled epileptics. We advise them on the technical medical issues.

Future Plans

• Epidemiological nationwide enquiries about clinical and social aspects of epilepsy.
• Several symposia are planned in collaboration with the National Neurological Society.
• To promote epilepsy surgery in Algeria.

Officer Election Date
2007

Report Submitted By
M Ait-Kaci-Ahmed

Argentinean League Against Epilepsy

Meetings
Monthly update with epilepsy doctors.

Summary of Activities in 2004 and 2005

• Monthly update meeting with epilepsy doctors.
• Activities on the Day of Epilepsy.

Educational Activities
Days on epilepsy in schools and hospitals for the patients.

Future Plans

• Day for patients and relatives, 20 September 2006.
• Congress of Epilepsy, 21-22 September 2006.

Officer Election Date
28 October 2005

Report Submitted By
Roberto Caraballo

Austrian League Against Epilepsy - Österreichische Sektion der Internationalen Liga gegen Epilepsie

Publications

• Mitteilungen der Österreichischen Sektion der Internationalen Liga gegen Epilepsie (published quarterly, since 2001). Distributed to all members of the chapter as well as to all neurological departments and all neurology residents. J Spatt, G Bauer, Ch Baumgartner, M Feucht, M Graf, B Mamoli, E Trinka.
• Predictors for Negative Attitudes Towards Subjects with Epilepsy: A Representative Survey in the General Public in Austria. Epilepsia. 2005 May; 46(5):736-42.

Meetings

• 6th European Congress on Epileptology, Vienna, 30 May to 3 June 2004.
• Herbsttagung der Österreichischen Sektion der Internationalen Liga gegen Epilepsie, Steyr, 15 and 16 October 2004 (Fall Meeting of the Austrian Chapter).
• Gemeinsame Jahrestagung der Deutschen Sektion, Österreichischen Sektion und Schweizerischen Sektion der Internationalen Liga gegen Epilepsie, Innsbruck 4 to 7 May 2005 (Joint Meeting of the German, Austrian and Swiss Chapter).

Summary of Activities in 2004 and 2005

• Working Groups were established to promote common clinical, educational and research activities. Consensus statements and position papers on the following topics were published by these Working Groups in the Mitteilungsblatt of the Austrian Section: Use of AEDs in Neurological Diseases (1/2004); Consensus About the Use of VNS (2/2004), Febrile Seizures (1/2005), Attitude of Austrians Towards People with Epilepsy (2/2005); Metabolic Diseases and Epilepsy (3/2005), Epilepsy and Pregnancy (4/2005).
• Other Working Groups are actively working on the following topics: Genetics, neurophysiology, neuropsychology, epilepsy surgery, problems with generic substitution of antiepileptic drugs, society, law and epilepsy and social integration of children with epilepsy.
• A study on the potential problems with generic substitution of antiepileptic drugs (conducted together with the German and Swiss Chapter) was initiated.
• A Website is maintained providing information for physicians and patients (www.medicalnet.at/oe.
  sektion-ILAE/).
• A bursary fund for young Austrian scientists working in the field of clinical epileptology has been established.
• Regular teaching courses for physicians on the management of seizures and status epilepticus are held.
• Organization of the 6th European Epilepsy Congress and the 4th Joint Meeting of the German, Austrian and Swiss Chapter.

Summary of Activities in Relation to Global Campaign in 2004 and 2005
An obligatory education plan about children with epilepsy was established for kindergarten and school teachers and school psychologists in close cooperation with the Federal Ministry for Education, Science and Culture and the Federal Ministry of Health and Women. A special Working Group was established with a responsible representative of the ILAE in every Austrian county.

Educational Activities

• Regular teaching courses for physicians on the management of seizures and status epilepticus are held.
• Regular teaching courses for kindergarten and school teachers as well as school psychologists and social workers are held.

Activities in Conjunction with Local IBE Affiliate
There is a close cooperation with the Dach-Verband Epilepsie (a special Working Group has been established for regular support).

Future Plans

• Herbsttagung der Österreichischen Sektion der Internationalen Liga gegen Epilepsie, Wien, 16 to 18 November 2006 (Fall Meeting of the Austrian Chapter)in close cooperation with the Austrian Neurophysiological Society and the Austrian Society of Child Neurology.
• Publication of the results of the study on the potential problems with generic substitution of antiepileptic drugs (conducted together with the German and Swiss Chapter).
• Finishing the position papers on the issues mentioned above.

Officer Election Date
15 November 2006

Report Submitted By
M Feucht

Bangladesh Epilepsy Foundation

Summary of Activities in 2004 and 2005
2005 was a successful year for the Bangladesh Epilepsy Foundation (BEF).

• Every month, we had several free Friday clinics for epileptic patients from January to December. Forty-seven free Friday clinics were held and 875 epileptic patients were seen in those clinics. There were 327 new cases among those patients.
• Seven public awareness seminars were held to increase awareness and knowledge about epilepsy among the general public; 764 patients, family members or relatives were present in those seminars.
• Five professional training programs were held in small groups for young doctors from all over Bangladesh. Information about treatment and management of epilepsy and basic information about EEG was given to those doctors.
• After three months of hard work, BEF also organized a very successful International Epilepsy and EEG teaching course for young Bangladeshi doctors jointly with Epilepsy Association of Bangladesh and Neurology Foundation Dhaka in February 2006; 135 young doctors from all over Bangladesh attended the two-day course. Adult and child neurologists from several government and private hospitals also attended the course, Asian Epilepsy Academy. Sponsored by the International trainers from Singapore, Malaysia, Japan and Australia gave talks about epilepsy and EEG.
• Bangladesh Epilepsy Foundation started a film-making project in November 2005. The film, about epilepsy awareness, will help to increase the knowledge about epilepsy among the general population. Hopefully it will be completed within a short period of time.
• Several epilepsy clinics were also held in village areas to help those patients who cannot travel to the capitol for treatment; 743 new cases were seen in those free clinics.
• BEF also started an epidemiological study about epilepsy in Bangladesh last year.
• Also our previous studies about epilepsy were continued in 2005.

Belgian League Against Epilepsy

Meetings
The activities are organized differently in the two regions: The LFBE is the French-speaking organization; the VLE is the Dutch-speaking organization.

Summary of Activities in 2004 and 2005

Current Activities

• Information center and ten regional centers, managed by the League. They are open to all people concerned with epilepsy: PWE, families and their relatives, professionals, etc. They provide:
  • Information, counseling, and discussion groups.
  • Open conferences on medical and non-medical aspects of epilepsy.
  • Information and conferences for professionals and students: psychologists, teachers, employers, first-aid services and support for contact groups.
  • Development of activities in new regional centers and contact with authorities for financial support.
• Participation in Global Campaign Against Epilespy
• Participation in the Belgium Brain Council.
• Participation in other international projects of ILAE and IBE.
• Renewal of Internet site and house style (regional logo).
• Consultative Advisory Committee for evaluation of risks related to epilepsy. This commission of the Belgian League Against Epilepsy gives advice to individuals or to treating physicians to help them in matters of driving licenses, employment and workplace situations, insurance and other legal matters. The Commission was specifically involved with proposals to change the current driving license in the country. Discussed with the consensus group of epileptologists and representatives of all universities and gave advice to the authorities for the change of the driving license regulations in Belgium. These regulations have to be in accordance with European rules. One of the members of the Commission, Eric Schmedding, has been asked to be the chairman of the European Working Group on Epilepsy and Driving of the European Union (poster and platform presentation at the 7th European Congress on Epileptology in Helsinki 2006).  The report is available on the Website of the Traffic Committee.

Summary of Activities in Relation to Global Campaign in 2004 and 2005
The different information campaigns and educational meetings promote the Global Campaign.

• Contact with health authorities.
• Epilepsy Day with presentation of the new video “Epilepsy Out of the Shadows” at open doors in the different local sevices of the regional leagues with press releases and media activities.
• Campaign with a spot on different TV and radio stations, sponsored by the French speaking government. The spot, using images of the video “Out of the Shadows” was broadcast on TV and radio at different times during two weeks in June and repeated in September and November.
• Information on Websites, in the newspapers, with posters, leaflets and booklets.

Educational Activities
EEG course for technicians: 15 afternoon sessions.

Activities in Conjunction with Local IBE Affiliate
There has always been a close collaboration between the BLE and the local section of the IBE.

• The information activities and open conferences for the general public and some conferences for professionals (other than the medico-scientific meetings or actions) are done in cooperation with the IBE chapter.
• The League collaborates with the contact groups and supports their activities.

Future Plans

• Going on with the current activities, reinforcing lobbying to the authorities for support and development of the regional services.
• Flemish Epilepsy Day 27 January 2007.
• Neurobelgium Symposium November 2007.
• Further development of the Websites.
• Further development of membership and participation of professionals in the activities.

Report Submitted By
E Schmedding, B Willaert

BRAZILIAN LEAGUE AGAINST EPILEPSY

Publications
Journal of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology

Meetings
XXXI Brazilian Epilepsy Congress

Summary of Activities in 2004 and 2005
During 2005, many activities were developed by LBE and its regional chapters. We have had five regional meetings that took place in Porto Alegre/RS, Salvador/BA, Rio de Janeiro/RJ, São Paulo/SP and Recife/PE, covering the country from north to south. In these meetings, the invited speakers were members of LBE, and in the Rio de Janeiro meeting we had the pleasure to receive Peter Wolf.

An expressive delegation from Brazil joined the International Epilepsy Congress in Paris and participated as speakers or moderators in many sessions. In addition, five young researchers from Brazil were selected for the Young Investigator Award and our former president, Jaderson Costa da Costa, was nominated Ambassador of ILAE. During the Paris Congress, a Brazilian and a Portuguese delegation together with P Wolf had established an ILAE lusophonic committee. Both presidents have signed a document with the objectives of this committee. Our next meeting will be in Brazil, during the XXXI Epilepsy Congress, where we will receive colleagues from Portugal and from lusophonic African countries.

In November, LBE promoted the 1st Epilepsy Forum, where the main subject was Education and Research in Epilepsy in Brazil. We had the participation of members from all LBE committees and also the direction of regional chapters. The discussion was open to the public and the results of the conferences and discussion were published as a supplement in the Journal of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology (official scientific journal from LBE). We are currently preparing the XXXI Brazilian Epilepsy Congress that will take place in Bento –Gonçalves, in southern Brazil, 21-25 June 2006. In this meeting, in addition to the scientific program, we will have a Training the Trainers course promoted by EUREPA and supported by ILAE and LBE.

Summary of Activities in Relation to Global Campaign in 2004 and 2005
A group leaded by Li Li Min, a member of LBE, from Campinas-SP has coordinated many activities around the country in relation to the Global Campaign.

Educational Activities
1st Epilepsy Forum, November 2005, Research and Education on Epilepsy in Brazil.

Activities in Conjunction with Local IBE Affiliate
All activities promoted by the regional chapters were planned together with the IBE affiliate.

Future Plans

• 1st EUREPA Training the Trainers course in Brazil during the XXXI Brazilian Epilepsy Congress.
• Support the lusophonic committee created in 2005, where the Brazilian and Portuguese chapters are making an effort to establish educational programs in Africa.

Officer Election Date
June 2006

Report Submitted By
Magda Lahorgue Nunes

Bulgarian Association Against Epilepsy

Summary of Activities in 2004 and 2005
The Bulgarian League Against Epilepsy systematically works for the introduction of the new diagnostic methods and therapeutic possibilities. The economical problems in the country are the main obstacles for the routine usage of MRI and wide treatment with the new antiepileptic drugs. The association carries out 4-5 meetings annually. In 2005, there were organized national meetings on following topics:

1. Criteria for prescription of the new AED that are to be reimbursed.
2. Criteria for the diagnostic process of epilepsy in three levels (neurologists, special centers, university hospitals), criteria for the usage and sequence of neuroimaging techniques (CT, MRI) and neurophysiological examinations (EEG, Video-EEG, EEG  monitoring).
3. Modern trends in the treatment in child epilepsy.

In 2004, the Bulgarian branch of ILAE organized a National Conference on Epilepsy with International Participation (7-10 October 2004). More than 350 Bulgarian physicians participated in the conference. There were 26 oral and 12 poster presentations, addressing various aspects of the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy. There were five satellite symposiums, organized by GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen-Cilag, Novartis, Pfizer and Sanofi-Aventis. Precise expositions in the field of diagnosis were presented by A Covanis and P Jovic. The participants were impressed by the presentations of M Brodie, G Bouer and P Genton on the current aspects in the treatment of epilepsy. On the last days of the conference, we held the general meeting of the members of the Bulgarian League Against Epilepsy and the new executive committee was elected. At the meeting, we reported the activities of the past, and prospects for the new four-year period were made.

Summary of Activities in Relation to Global Campaign in 2004 and 2005

The Bulgarian League developed a national program, Epilepsy Out of the Shadows

The cooperation with mass media is of great importance for the program. A series of presentations were carried out on TV and radio; there were publications in the newspapers and magazines. A number of monographs were also published.

There is a special emphasis on national treatment peculiarities to overcome the alternative, nonmedical therapeutic deviations such as extraordinary treatments by extrasensories, healers and sorcerers.

Educational Activities
Teaching courses usually are organized together with pharmaceutical firms. The Bulgarian League organizes an annual meeting at the seaside in Magnolia Hotel, and that is why in Bulgaria, the magnolia symbolizes the Campaign Against Epilepsy. These meetings are gratuitously supported by Ecopharm. In 2004, we held the 10th anniversary session.

Future Plans
Further work to overcome the problems in:

1. Medical care
   • Discrepancy between single leading centers and dominant low-level country services.
   • Education and training of personnel.
   • Restricted availability of and complicated reimbursement for the new AED.
2. Stigma
   • Low culture, lack of knowledge, social phobia in some regions and population groups.
   • Social discrimination in education and employment.
   • Alternative, nonmedical therapeutic deviations such as extraordinary treatments by extrasensories, healers and sorcerers.
3. Legislation
   • Lack of legal norms; rights and limitations of definite forms.
   • Restrictions in education and employment.
   • Ethical problems, communication, information, confidentiality

Officer Election Date
2007

Report Submitted By
Melania Radionova

Canadian League Against Epilepsy

Meetings
Annual Meeting June 2005, Ottawa, Ontario

Summary of Activities in 2004 and 2005

• Campaign to increase membership of basic science researchers.
• Mary Anne Lee Award for the best resident paper in Epilepsy: Shazam Hussain, Edmonton.

Summary of Activities in Relation to Global Campaign in 2004 and 2005
Worked with the American Epilepsy Society to organize the 1st North American Regional Epilepsy Congress, held in San Diego in December 2006.

Educational Activities
Established three additional research awards for fellows, basic science students and allied health personnel, from a generous donation from CeDAR.

Activities in Conjunction with Local IBE Affiliate
Continue to have close liaisons with Epilepsy Canada and the Alliance for Epilepsy.

Officer Election Date
June 2006

Report Submitted By
Elaine Wirrell

China Association Against Epilepsy

Publications
China Association Against Epilepsy (brochure)

Meeting
1st Beijing International Epilepsy Forum, Oct. 2004; Inauguration ceremony and professional conference, June 2005.

Summary of Activities in 2004 and 2005
CAAE was officially established in June 2005. A training course and professional conference were held in conjunction with the inauguration. Before and after its founding, a number of “patients’ consultation and education” public welfare activities were held in different cities in China. In addition, Guideline for Epilepsy Diagnosis and Treatment and China Epilepsy Journal were under preparation.

Summary of Activities in Relation to Global Campaign in 2004 and 2005

• Community Control of Epilepsy in Rural Area of China (GCAE demonstration project) in six provinces of China; extended to 10 provinces.
• Research on stigma of epileptics (CREST study) in collaboration with UK.

Educational Activities
Ten training courses for neurologists, neurosurgeons, and patients/family members.

Future Plans

• 2nd Beijing International Epilepsy Forum, 26-28 October 2006.
• Publication of Guidelines for Epilepsy Diagnosis and Treatment, green book on strategies for prevention and control of epilepsy in China and China Epilepsy Journal.
• Extend the epilepsy control in rural area to 12 provinces.
• Various training courses.
• Clinical research on antiepileptic drugs and other collaborative studies.
• Develop CAAE further.

Officer Election Date
June 2009

Report By
Shichuo Li

Colombian League Against Epilepsy- Liga Colombiana contra la Epilepsia

Publications

• Fandiño-Franky J, Fiol M, Cirugía Paliativa De Las Epilepsies: Callosotomía Y Transacción Subpial Múltiple.
• Campos M, Kammer A, Epilepsias. Diagnóstico y Tratamiento. Mediterraneo Santiago. 2004, 636-664.

Meeting
2004 National Congress of Epilepsy, Bogotá D.C.

Summary of Activities in 2004 and 2005
The LCE owns a non-profit neurological hospital with the full accreditation of the Colombian government, devoted to the medical and surgical treatment of patients with epilepsy. During 2004/05, about 17,000 patients were treated in the outpatient clinic. We have done 6,000 AEM blood level exams, 7,000 EEGs and many CT scan and MRIs. We have operated on 105 patients (within a total of 680 cases) for medicinally untreatable epilepsy. Those programs are offered to the whole country because we are an epilepsy center.

Summary of Activities in Relation to Global Campaign in 2004 and 2005

• Campaign Against Cysticercosis, using families and sanitary authorities in remote communities, teaching sanitary principles.
• Continuing education in epilepsy in the whole country through the 17 chapters.

Educational Activities

• Daily conferences to patients visiting the clinics, also to visiting family members in the hospital.
• Meetings for medical students and nurses.

Activities in Conjunction with Local IBE Affiliate
For 35 years, the LCE has organized a foundation for the rehabilitation of people with epilepsy.

We have two general programs:

1. Neuropsychological rehabilitation for people operated on for medically intractable epilepsy.
2. Rehabilitation for people with epilepsy and different kind of disabilities (sheltered workshops, special education for children and adolescents).

Future Plans

• Creating an online epilepsy journal on our Website, www.epilepsiacolombia.org, as an information-sharing organ for epileptologists and rehabilitation personnel to consult and write papers.
• Granting a national award for young researchers every year at the Latin American Day of Epilepsy (9 September).
• Creating a database on all epilepsy patients treated by the Colombian League Against Epilepsy around the country.
• Preparing a law project to be presented in the Colombian Parliament, to protect people with epilepsy and give them social security, medication, education and rehabilitation.

Officer Election Date
Every two years in July.

Report By
Jaime Fandiño-Franky

Croatian League Against Epilepsy

Publications
Epilepsy Pharmacotherapy, Acta Medica Croatica 2005; 1-79.

Meetings
General Assembly, 16 December 2005.

Summary of Activities in 2004 and 2005
After the elections of the new president of the League and the members of the board on 24 September 2004, the registration of a new name, the Croatian League Against Epilepsy, was done. The bank account was opened and several meetings of the board were held, also the General Assembly. Other activities and meetings were performed for the organization at the 7th Croatian Symposium of Epilepsy, held in Pula 28 May-1 June 2006. The Croatian League Against Epilepsy co-organized several congresses held in Croatia.

Educational Activities

• 1st Croatian Epilepsy Congress with international participation, Dubrovnik, 21- 24 September 2004.
• Adriatic School of Child Neurology, Epileptic Encephalopathies, Hvar, 21-23 April 2005, with co-organization of Croatian League Against Epilepsy.
• The 1st Zagreb International Symposium in Epilepsy, Epilepsy and Brain Dysfunction, Zagreb, 6-7 October 2005, with co-organization of Croatian League Against Epilepsy.
• Epilepsy Pharmacotherapy in Children, medical educational course of Medical School of Zagreb, held in Children’s University Hospital, Zagreb, December 2004.
• Members of Croatian League Against Epilepsy organized the lectures concerning epilepsy during the 6th Croatian Pediatrics Congress in Zagreb, 23-26 June 2004 and during the 33rd Symposium of Child Neurology held in Split, 10 December 2004.
• Croatian Association for Epilepsy organized the public lecture “Epilepsy in Young People in Croatia” in Zagreb, 23 November 2005.
• Each last Thursday of the month, the Epilepsy Center Zagreb held lectures with invited speakers.
• Pharmaceutical firms GSK and Janssen Cilag organized several lectures about epilepsy and their products.

Activities in Conjunction with Local IBE Affiliate
General Assembly of the Croatian Association for Epilepsy was organized 16 December 2005 in the Hospital Vrape with participation of members of the Croatian League Against Epilepsy.

Future Plans
The organization of the 7th Croatian Symposium of Epilepsy, to be held in Pula, 28 May-1 June 2006. Main topics: New generation of AEDs 10 years later, EEG in Diagnostics and Evaluation of Epilepsy, Epidemiology of Epilepsy, Symptomatic Epilepsy, other topics.

Officer Election Date
24 September 2004

Cuban League Against Epilepsy

Publications
More than 20 published scientific articles in national and international magazines.

Meetings
Every three months.

Summary of Activities in 2004 and 2005

• Participation in the 3rd Latin American Congress of Epilepsy, Mexico 2004.
• Participation in the International Congress of Epilepsy held in Paris 2005.
• Prize-winner in the Science and Technique Forum with the research paper “Costo en Epilepsia” (The Cost of Epilepsy).

Summary of Activities in Relation to Global Campaigns in 2004 and 2005

• Quarterly meetings with patients and their families.
• The elaboration of a book on epilepsy published in Cuba directed to the education of patients, family and the general public.

Educational Activities

• National and International Epilepsy Course for primary care specialists in neurology and neurosurgery.
• International Course on Updating in Epilepsy.  http://www.cursosparamedicos.com.
• Graduate courses for neurologists at the Cuban Institute of Neurology.

Activities in Conjunction with Local IBE Affiliate

• Quarterly meetings with the IBE.
• Monthly meetings with epileptic patients and relatives.

Future Plans

• Edition of the book What They All Should Know About Epilepsy carried out by using questions and answers and designed for family, patients, the general public and primary care doctors.
• National Epilepsy Congress in January 2007.
• Creation of a national Website for both the Cuban League Against Epilepsy and the Cuban Epilepsy Bureau.

Epilepsy Society of Cyprus

Meetings
1st Panhellenic Epilepsy Meeting, 21-23 October 2005, Athens.

Summary of Activities in 2004 and 2005
Published brief educational pamphlet with information for patients regarding epilepsy causes, symptoms, treatment and prognosis.

Summary of Activities in Relation to Global Campaign in 2004 and 2005

• Lectures to school physicians regarding epilepsy in school children.
• Co-sponsored the first Panhellenic Epilepsy Meeting in Athens, October 2005.

Educational Activities
We have just launched a Website with information about the organization as well as information about epilepsy for patients. In addition, there are links to ILAE and other sites of interest. We are still expanding our site.

Activities in Conjunction with Local IBE Affiliate
Brief educational articles in the press.

Future Plans

• Lectures to the weekly educational meetings of the Cyprus Medical Association.
• We are co-organizing the 2nd Panhellenic Epilepsy meeting in Thessaloniki, Greece, 10-12 November 2006.

Officer Election Date
16 January 2005 for a two-year term.

Danish Epilepsy Society

Publications
Contributions to a national reference program about epilepsy treatment.

Meetings
Two scientific meetings per year.

Summary of Activities in 2004 and 2005

• Two scientific meetings per year.
• Work with national databases about epilepsy treatment.
• Referee for national guidelines on antiepileptics.
• Establishment of collaboration with the Swedish and Norwegian Epilepsy Societies.
• Recommendations regarding generic substitution of antiepileptics.

Educational Activities

• Two annual scientific meetings.
• Courses for junior medical doctors in collaboration with the Danish Epilepsy Center, Dianalund and Desitin Pharma.

Activities in Conjunction with Local IBE Affiliate
Regular meetings (twice a year) attended by the board of the local IBE and the board of the Danish Epilepsy Society.

Future Plans

• National guidelines for treatment with vagus nerve stimulator.
• Baltic epilepsy summer school.

Report Submitted By
Christian Pilebæk Hansen

Dutch League Against Epilepsy

Publications
Epilepsie (quarterly journal).

Meetings
National Epilepsy Symposium, 2005/2007.

Summary of Activities in 2004 and 2005

• 10 June 2005: National Epilepsy Symposium, in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Dutch chapter.
• Edition of the booklet Historische toevalligheden by Paul Eling.
• Decoration of Dr Oei, neurologist with the Golden Spike Wave recognizing his longstanding activities in epilepsy care.
• Quarterly edition of the periodical Epilepsie, which is sent to members of the Dutch chapter, reports scientific meetings and progress by Dutch scientists.
• A novel Website (www.epilepsieliga.nl) announces the important activities of the Dutch chapter.

Summary of Activities in Relation to Global Campaign in 2004 and 2005

• The commission on foreign affairs of the Dutch chapter contributes to an educational project in the copper belt region of Zambia and visited an educational program in Colombia.
• Other activities, mainly supported by the Dutch Epilepsy Foundation in the Baltic states, Indonesia, Rumania, Kenya, Dutch Caribbean Islands.
• Activities by members of the Dutch League for the Global Campaign, which is co-chaired by Hanneke de Boer.
• Educational projects in Georgia, China, Vietnam (Crest).

Educational Activities
The Scientific Section of the Dutch chapter organizes three symposia per year: In 2005 on GABA in Circuits, Absence Epilepsy: Focal or Generalized? and an end-of-the-year meeting with multiple topics.

Future Plans

• National Epilepsy Symposium 2007.
• Integration of second- and third-line epilepsy treatment.

Officer Election Date
May 2007

Report Submitted By
Gerrit-Jan de Haan

Dominican Republic League Against Epilepsy

Meetings
Local meeting July 2004 and November 2004.

Summary of Activities in 2004 and 2005

• Club meets the last Monday of each month, about 40 neurologists and neurosurgeons discuss articles coming from Epilepsia, the journal of the International League Against Epilepsy.
• Consultation for patients, about 40 per month in the capital.
• Consultation for patients, about 1,000 per year in the central area of the country. Those patients have low economic resources.

Summary of Activities in Relation to Global Campaign in 2004 and 2005
Programs on local television channels and radio conference for the population in general.

Educational Activities
For students, we offer courses in the diagnostics and treatment of epilepsy.

Activities in Conjunction with Local IBE Affiliate
We don’t have local IBE chapter, so we hope, in Guatemala, to choose a president of the IBE chapter.

Future Plans
In the future, we hope to inaugurate the Neurological Institute and we are will have a group of neurologists working in clinical epileptology and, in some cases, surgery for patients with refractory epilepsy. With the public university, give courses for the information of epilepsy specialists who can work in the cities around the country.

Finnish Epilepsy Society

Summary of Activities in 2004 and 2005

• First educational meeting was held in Turku, 2 April 2004. The topic of the meeting was Imaging and Epilepsy and the purpose was to give an overview of the diagnostic imaging methods used especially in difficult-to-treat epilepsy currently. There were altogether 60 participants.
• Second educational meeting was arranged in Helsinki 26 November 2004 together with the IBE affiliate, Finnish Epilepsy Association (FEA), in order to celebrate the 30-year anniversary of rehabilitation courses arranged for patients with epilepsy and their family members by FEA. The topic was Epilepsy and Rehabilitation and the lectures dealt with topics of comprehensive care and rehabilitation, self-care, quality care, possibilities in vocational rehabilitation for epilepsy and of course described the excellent rehabilitation work that has been done during the years by the FEA.
• Third educational meeting was arranged in Oulu 16 March 2005 and the topic was Can Epilepsy Be Cured with a Short Term Drug Treatment?  The idea was to discuss the situations when it is possible to stop the medication and the situations when it would be perhaps wiser to continue the medication after seizure freedom has been achieved. We also discussed the topic of what is the role of stopping the medication to possible future drug resistance. There were 70 participants.
• Finnish Epilepsy Society (ILAE chapter) and Finnish Epilepsy Association (IBE chapter) arranged together Kuopio Epilepsy Symposium 2005 in Kuopio, 17-18 June 2005. The meeting was the fourth in a series of epilepsy meetings that have been organized jointly by the A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences and the Department of Neuroscience and Neurology, University of Kuopio. The objective of the meetings is to present up-to-date knowledge of selected topics related to epilepsy so that both experimental and clinical data are presented. We brought together 250 people working in different fields of epileptology to facilitate the exchange of information and ideas and to update the understanding of basic mechanisms, diagnostics and treatment of epilepsy. Altogether 10 distinguished foreign lecturers participated into the symposium.
• Fifth meeting dealing with Unverricht Lundborg’s disease was held near Tampere in Nokia 30 September 2005 together with the 10th Anniversary of the PME branch of the Finnish Epilepsy Society. The meeting gave an overview of the disease today in Finland and the scientific approaches that we are having cuurently and in the near future. Moreover there was a meeting of patients and a panel discussion of experts for the patients and their family members. There were 40 participants in the scientific meeting and 40 participants in the patient meeting.

Summary of Activities in Relation to Global Campaign in 2004 and 2005

• The chapter has focused to increase professional awareness of epilepsy as a treatable disorder. All our educational meetings are part of the Global Campaign and, in major meetings, we arrange press conferences to increase public awareness.
• Members of the chapter participate in the national effort to create guidelines for the treatment of epilepsy in Finland. In 2005, the guideline, The Treatment of Prolonged Seizure and Status Epilepticus, was published and is available on the Internet in Finnish.
• The chapter has also been an active participant in the discussion of reimbursement policies of new antiepileptic drugs and epilepsy surgery in Finland. The goal is to increase the equal availability of the new drugs and surgery for epilepsy patients regardless of their economic situation or community they live in.

Educational Activities
Described in the summary of activities.

Activities in Conjunction with Local IBE Affiliate

• Collaboration between ILAE and IBE chapters in Finland is close and each year at least one of the educational meetings is arranged together.
• Most of the Global Campaign activities and other public activities arranged by the IBE chapter always have expert/experts invited from the ILAE chapter.
• This year we especially celebrated the rehabilitation courses arranged for 30 years by the IBE chapter, although the main method of the courses are group discussions, each course has always involved a lecture given by epileptologist. We also celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the progressive myoclonus branch of the IBE chapter together. These are living examples of the excellent collaboration between the affiliate.

Future Plans

1. The Finnish Epilepsy Society tries to enhance both the adequate clinical follow-up of women with epilepsy during their pregnancy and EURAP in the effort for prospective assessment of pregnancy outcome after prenatal exposure to antiepileptic drugs.
2. Finland has been very active in epilepsy research and Helsinki, our capital, was chosen to be the site for the 7th European Congress on Epileptology in 2006. We will work very hard to fulfill the expectations of a high-quality scientific meeting. We are also combining our efforts at the national level with the IBE chapter during this congress and trying to get publicity for our scientific work as well as decreasing stigma.

French Chapter of the ILAE (FLAE)

Publications
Francophone Journal Epilepsies, LFCE Website.

Meetings
Three LFCE board meetings in 2005.

Summary of Activities in 2004 and 2005

A. Administration issues
Three Conseils d Administration were held on 12 February, 4 June and 25-26 November.

Elections

1. Annual elections for partial renewal of the  Conseil d‘administration (LFCE Board):

• 198 votes received.
• 44 excluded (unpaid annual fee, or non-respect of vote rules).
• 154 votes retained.
  
  Elected were: Alexis Arzimanoglou (150 votes); Nathalie Moriez de Grissac (140); Jean-Pierre Vignal (140); Gilles Lavernhe (136); Michelle Bureau (133); Bernadette Couffignal (Non MD member) (147).

2. Elections for the new upcoming LFCE bureau (2006-2007):
   President: Bertrand De Toffol
   Secretary General: Arnaud Biraben
   Treasurer: Dominique Broglin (ongoing)
   Vice-President Scientific Affairs: Philippe Ryvlin
   Vice-President Communication: Alexis Arzimanoglou
   Vice-President International Affairs: Michel Baulac
   Past-President: Pierre Genton

B. National and international activities

In 2005 the French chapter dedicated the essentials of its activities to the success of the 26th International Epilepsy Congress and pursued all educational, research and social projects.

26th International Epilepsy Congress, Paris 2005
The LFCE as a whole, in collaboration with AISPACE (French IBE chapter) and all other French epilepsy associations, dedicated a lot of energy to this event, co-chaired by A Arzimanoglou (IOC) and Ph Ryvlin (SAC). With more than 5,000 delegates, 200 invited conferences and 1,400 selected oral and poster communications, the Congress confirmed the role of excellence of the epilepsy community within the field of neurological sciences. In an effort to increase public awareness on epilepsy issues, the French chapter facilitated a number of press conferences and the event has been extensively covered by the media. The final report will be done when the IEC global financial report available from IDM/ILAE/IBE.

National Congresses and Meetings

• To reinforce participation at the 26th IEC the French chapter had decided not to organize in 2005 the annual meeting of the Chapter (JFE). In November 2005 a one-day scientific meeting was organized during which the results of the 2004 clinical and basic science projects, financed by grants of the LFCE in collaboration with the industry, were presented.
• Preparation of the 2006 JFE in Strasbourg that will be a joint meeting of the German and the French chapters (chaired by Edouard Hirsch).
• LFCE workshops organized in Marseille at the joint annual meeting of the French Neurological and Neurosciences Societies (JNLF-Journées de Neurologie de Langue Francaise).
• Annual Teaching Course (CPE) supported with a grant by Sanofi-Aventis, organized in collaboration with the LFCE and other societies (neurophysiology, child neurology etc.) and a number of other workshops or scientific meetings (Universités d’été, Echanges Cliniques, Ecole Pratique Jean Bancaud, Interfaces) organized in collaboration with Pfizer, Novartis, GSK and others.

Scientific commission (Chair: P Plouin) Prepared the scientific program of the different national events and initiated or planned several projects, with a special emphasis on collaborative projects:

• Register of Cortical Dysplasia (with F Chassoux).
• A Commission on Mortality and Epilepsy will be formed, including specific surveys on SUDEP (Ph Ryvlin et al.).
• Neurobiology Summer School (Hippocrates Summer School: http://inmednet.com/Hippocrate.html) for clinicians, organized by Y Ben-Ari and INMED (Marseille) and supported by a GSK educational grant; a mirror project for neurobiologists will be envisaged.
• Neuropsychological evaluation of patients undergoing a surgical investigation, a national collaborative project to be coordinated by Bertrand de Toffol.
• A project on the psychosocial aspects of the severely-disabling partial epilepsies was suggested.

The scientific prize (Prix International Henri Gastaut de la LFCE in partenariat with Sanofi-Aventis) was granted, following a voting process at the Conseil d’Administration to Michelle Bureau (Marseille).

Bursary Program (Chair: Suzanne Trottier)
Program includes the follow-up of the 2004 recipients, the call for the 2005 campaign, and the contacts with the partners from Industry for securing the necessary funds. Five bursaries have been attributed in 2005.

Communication

• Many actions were undertaken at the occasion of the 26th IEC;
• A Website (http://www.lfce-epilepsies.org) is regularly improved and updated, offering the possibility of incorporating directly new information (members, board or bureau members). Information on epilepsy treatment and care issues is accessible to the public.
• Journal Epilepsies: In 2005, the 17-year-old journal of the French chapter was the subject of a major evolution. In agreement with the publisher (John Libbey Eurotext), it evolved to a journal of the French League and other French speaking chapters (Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia). Contacts with other French-speaking chapters are ongoing and the scientific, educational, and social objectives of the journal were reappraised. The policy for education supplements was refined.

Commission on Francophonie (Simone Garrel, Guy Farnarier)

• A special bursary for Les pays du Sud targeting francophone countries from the African continent.
• Specific actions for encouraging African countries to create an ILAE Chapter.
• A Francophone meeting during the IEC in Paris (August 27) was organized in collaboration with AISPACE (co-organizer of the IEC, represented by J Beaussart). The audience and the interactivity were great and the proceedings will be edited.

Educational Activities

• Teaching Courses during national congresses.
• The LFCE coordinates the Diplome InterUniversitaire d’Epileptologie, involving many universities nationwide (40 to 50 attendees, two years, courses and practical training). 

Social Committee and Relations with Patient Associations (Chair: Elisabeth Landré)
The relationships between the LFCE and patient associations are complex due to the presence of several associations, differences in objectives (association of professionals versus associations of patients and families). Two of these associations (ARPEIJE and BFE) have the project of merging to a new association (Epilepsie-France). The French chapter of the ILAE closely works with all associations on a number of projects and actively participates, via a council of association representatives, in the organization in 2006 of the 3rd edition of the Journée Nationale des Epilepsies. 

• Project of a teaching course, at a national level, for training video-EEG and other technicians involved in epilepsy (Mme Couffignal et de JP Gagnepain).
• The medico-social bursary Jo Roger, supporting a work on social issues, was planned in 2005, but it turned out that none of the candidates was fulfilling the conditions. The bursary therefore was not attributed in 2005.
• Relationships with organizations, authorities.
• Regular contacts with the Société Française de Neurologie and the Société Française de Neurophysiologie Clinique.
• A specific action will be taken to reinforce the connections with the neuropediatric societies (A Arzimanoglou).
• The policy of promoting the creation of regional networks for epilepsy care will develop programs in favor of rare diseases and orphan drugs.

Although epilepsy is one of the commonest neurological disorders, certain epileptic syndromes or diseases are nonetheless fulfilling all the criteria, in terms of epidemiology and severity, for being qualified as rare diseases. These epileptic conditions indeed are distinct entities, affecting no more than five in 10,000 persons in Europe, carrying a risk of chronic impairment, severe debilitation and mortality. There is a lack of specific treatments with durable effects on the seizures and the neuropsychological disorders. Epileptic encephalopathies or progressive myoclonic epilepsies are good examples. A center for rare epileptic disease was created by the Health Ministry in 2005, based on a project presented by Olivier Dulac (coordinator) and Michel Baulac. The LFCE supported actively this process. It is hoped that the governmental financial support will be extended in 2006 to the several other groups that are taking part in the project (from diverse French regions).

Project for the Creation of a Childhood and Adolescence Epilepsy Institute (IDEE)
This project, initiated by Drs Arzimanoglou, Hirsch, Kahane and Ryvlin to create an institute for diagnosis, global care and clinical research devoted to childhood and adolescence epilepsies, was fully supported by the French chapter and all patient and family associations. The aims of IDEE are the immediate investigation of epilepsy in children and adolescents, by a multi-disciplinary expertise, in collaboration with the Child Neurology Dept., to outline the optimal diagnostic and therapeutic strategy and to implement, when necessary, a thorough presurgical assessment using the most effective techniques. The Institute was designed to offer direct interaction between global clinical care and research, particularly oriented toward social cognition and epilepsy issues. In close collaboration with the patient associations IDEE will develop specific actions to communicate information to healthcare professionals, families, and the public. In 2004 the project was endorsed by the University Hospitals of Lyon and the Regional Health Agency of Rhone-Alpes. In December 2005 the Ministry of Health authorized the creation of IDEE and it is hoped that the Institute will be operational late 2007.

International Affairs (Chair: Michel Baulac).
A Commission on International Affairs will be formed with the objectives of:

• Ensuring the administrative tasks with the ILAE.
• Reinforcing the participation of France or French groups in collaborative enterprises, especially European research projects (for instance, Project EPICURE in preparation).
• Taking part actively in the Francophone group of the ILAE Commission on Education (P Plouin).
• Coordinating the actions of the LFCE francophone commission with the ILAE (in particular through the Commission on European Affairs).

ILAE Commissions
In 2005, several members of the French chapter actively participated in the various ILAE Commissions: Long-range Strategic Plan (C Dravet); European Affairs (M Baulac); Neuroimaging (C Chiron); Definition of Epilepsy (P Genton).

Neurophysiology
(B Renault); Genetics (O Dulac); Healthcare Policy (P Levy); Neurosurgery (O Delalande, J Régis, Ph. Kahane); Pediatrics (A Arzimanoglou, C Dravet, P Plouin), Classification Taskforce (J Aicardi, A Arzimanoglou, C Dravet, O Dulac, P Plouin); Subregional and Interregional Taskforce (PM Preux)] and programs (EUREPA: M Baldy-Moulinier, G Farnarier, P Plouin).

Finances (D Broglin)
A financial report was presented at the General Assembly by D Broglin. The 2005 financial situation will be different from previous years since the Chapter will not benefit this year from the annual meeting (JFE) incomes. However, this deficit will probably be compensated by the percentage of the 26th IEC incomes to be allocated to the French chapter and to be used for the organization of the future congresses and meetings of the chapter. Reducing the number of unpaid annual fees by members is another crucial point.

Summary of Activities in Relation to Global Campaign in 2004 and 2005
26th International Epilepsy Congress, Paris 2005
The LFCE as a whole, in collaboration with AISPACE (French IBE chapter) and all other French epilepsy associations, dedicated a lot of energy for this event, co-chaired by A Arzimanoglou (IOC) and Ph Ryvlin (SAC). With more than 5,000 delegates, 200 invited conferences and 1,400 selected oral and poster communications, the Congress confirmed the role of excellence of the epilepsy community within the field of neurological sciences. In an effort to increase public awareness on epilepsy issues, the French chapter facilitated a number of press conferences and the event has been extensively covered by the media. The final report will be done when the IEC global financial report is available from IDM/ILAE/IBE.

Communication
A Website (http://www.lfce-epilepsies.org) is regularly improved and updated, offering the possibility of incorporating directly new information (members, board or bureau members). Information on epilepsy treatment and care issues is accessible to the public.

Educational Activities
Journées Francaise de l’Epilepsie

• To reinforce participation at the 26th IEC the French chapter had decided not to organize in 2005 the annual meeting of the Chapter (JFE). In November 2005 a one-day scientific meeting was organized during which the results of the 2004 clinical and basic science projects, financed by grants from the LFCE in collaboration with the industry, were presented.
• Preparation of the 2006 JFE in Strasbourg that will be a joint meeting of the German and the French chapters (chaired by Edouard Hirsch).
• LFCE workshops organized in Marseille at the joint annual meeting of the French Neurological and Neurosciences Societies (JNLF-Journées de Neurologie de Langue Francaise).
• Annual Teaching Course (CPE) supported with a grant by Sanofi-Aventis, organized in collaboration with the LFCE and other societies (neurophysiology, child neurology etc.) and a number of other workshops or scientific meetings (Universités d'été, Echanges Cliniques, Ecole Pratique Jean Bancaud, Interfaces) organized in collaboration with Pfizer, Novartis, GSK and others.
• The LFCE coordinates the Diplome InterUniversitaire d’Epileptologie, involving many universities nationwide (40 to 50 attendees, two years, courses and practical training).

Activities in Conjunction with Local IBE Affiliate
Social Committee and relations with patient associations (chair: Elisabeth Landré).

• The relationships between the LFCE and patient associations are complex due to the presence of several associations, differences in objectives (association of professionals versus associations of patients and families). Two of these associations (ARPEIJE and BFE) have the project of merging to a new association (Epilepsie-France). The French chapter of the ILAE closely works with all associations on a number of projects and actively participates, via a council of association representatives, in the organization in 2006 of the 3rd edition of the Journée Nationale des Epilepsies.
• Project of a teaching course, at a national level, for training video-EEG and other technicians involved in epilepsy (Mme Couffignal et de JP Gagnepain).
• The medico-social bursary Jo Roger, supporting work on social issues, was planned in 2005, but it turned out that none of the candidates was fulfilling the conditions. The bursary therefore was not attributed in 2005.

Future Plans

• Relationships with organizations, authorities.
• Regular contacts with the Société Française de Neurologie and the Société Française de Neurophysiologie Clinique.
• Specific action will be taken to reinforce the connections with the neuropediatric societies (A Arzimanoglou).
• The policy of promoting the creation of regional networks for epilepsy care will be developed.

Programs in Favor of Rare Diseases and Orphan Drugs
Although epilepsy is one of the commonest neurological disorders, certain epileptic syndromes or diseases are nonetheless fulfilling all the criteria, in terms of epidemiology and severity, for being qualified as rare diseases. These epileptic conditions indeed are distinct entities, affecting no more than five in 10,000 persons in Europe, carrying a risk of chronic impairment, severe debilitation, and mortality, and there is a lack of specific treatments with durable effects on the seizures and the neuropsychological disorders. Epileptic encephalopathies or progressive myoclonic epilepsies are good examples. A center for rare epileptic disease was created by the Health Ministry in 2005, based on a project presented by Olivier Dulac (coordinator) and Michel Baulac. The LFCE actively supported this process. It is hoped that the governmental financial support will be extended in 2006 to the several other groups which are taking part to the project (from diverse regions of France).

Project for the Creation of a Childhood and Adolescence Epilepsy Institute (IDEE)
This project, initiated by Drs Arzimanoglou, Hirsch, Kahane and Ryvlin, to create an institute for diagnosis, global care and clinical research devoted to childhood and adolescence epilepsies, was fully supported by the French chapter and all patient and family associations. The aims of IDEE are the immediate investigation of epilepsy in children and adolescents, by multidisciplinary experts, in collaboration with the Child Neurology Dept., to outline optimal diagnostic and therapeutic strategies and to implement, when necessary, a thorough presurgical assessment, using the most effective techniques. The Institute was designed to offer direct interaction between global clinical care and research, particularly oriented toward social cognition and epilepsy issues. In close collaboration with patients’ associations IDEE will develop specific actions to communicate information to healthcare professionals, families, and the public. In 2004 the project was endorsed by the University Hospitals of Lyon and the Regional Health Agency of Rhone-Alpes. In December 2005 the Ministry of Health authorized the creation of IDEE and it is hoped that the Institute will be operational late 2007.

International Affairs (Chair: Michel Baulac)
A commission on International Affairs will be formed with the objectives of:

• Ensuring the administrative tasks with the ILAE.
• Reinforcing the participation of France or French groups in collaborative enterprises, especially European research projects. (for instance, Project EPICURE in preparation).
• Taking part actively to the Francophone group of the ILAE commission on Education (P Plouin).
• Coordinating the actions of the LFCE francophonie commission with the ILAE (in particular through the Commission on European Affairs).

Commission on Francophonie (Simone Garrel, Guy Farnarier)

• A special bursary for Les pays du Sud  targeting francophone countries from the African continent.
• Specific actions for encouraging African countries to create an ILAE Chapter.
• A Francophone meeting during the IEC in Paris (August 27th) was organized in collaboration with AISPACE (co-organizer of the IEC, represented by J Beaussart). The audience and the interactivity were great and the proceedings will be edited.

Scientific Commission (Chair: P Plouin): prepared the scientific program of the different national events and initiated or planned several projects, with a special emphasis on collaborative projects:

• Register of Cortical dysplasia (with F Chassoux).
• A commission on Mortality and Epilepsy will be formed, including specific surveys on SUDEP (Ph Ryvlin et al.).
• Neurobiology Summer School (Hippocrates Summer School: http://inmednet.com/Hippocrate.html) for clinicians, organized by Y Ben-Ari and INMED (Marseille) and supported by a GSK educational grant; a mirror project for neurobiologists will be envisaged.
• Neuropsychological evaluation of patients undergoing a surgical investigation, a national collaborative project to be coordinated by Bertrand de Toffol.
• A project on the psychosocial aspects of the severely disabling partial epilepsies was suggested.

The scientific prize (Prix International Henri Gastaut de la LFCE in partenariat with Sanofi-Aventis) was granted, following a voting process at the Conseil d'Administration to Dr Michelle Bureau (Marseille).

Officer Election Date
2007

Report Submitted By
Michel Baulac

Georgian Society Against Epilepsy

Publications
Four guidelines for the primary care physician were prepared and issued.

Meetings
Society meeting with discussion of future demonstrational project. Local meeting about future plans.

Summary of Activities in 2004 and 2005

• Psychosocial aspects of epilepsy - Anti-stigma Campaign.
• Teaching course with participation of F Vigevano Paroxysmal disorders in infancy and early childhood.
• Training on medical and psychosocial aspects of epilepsy performed for 47 teachers and psychologists of 22 primary schools.

Summary of Activities in Relation to Global Campaign in 2004 and 2005
IBE/ILAE/WHO. The demonstration project of the Global Campaign Against Epilepsy “Out of the Shadows” is translated and adapted (now in press). The demonstration project in Georgia started in September 2006.

Educational Activities

• Five-day training courses performed for 241 MDs of 121 primary care level institutions in all 12 regions of Georgia.
• Five-day training courses on epilepsy in infancy for general pediatricians and pediatric neurologists.
• Education material for school teachers What We Should Know About Epilepsy was prepared.

Officer Election Date
2001

Report Submitted By
N Tatishvili

Greek League Against Epilepsy

Publications
Greek Epilepsy News in Neurology, Neuro News.

Meeting
1st Hellenic Epilepsy Congress, 21-23 October.

Summary of Activities in 2004 and 2005 History
The Greek League Against Epilepsy (Panelinios Epistimonikos Syllogos kata tis Epilipsias) was established 26 May 1993 by a group of 31 neurologists interested in epilepsy.

Activities
From 1993 to 2005 the activities of the League were mainly within the activities of the Hellenic Neurological Society, mainly Annual Conference, spring and autumn minor meetings and/or courses. These courses, which take place at different Greek cities each time, are directed toward continuing education of young neurologists and selected topics on epilepsy are included. In October 2005 the Greek League, together with the Greek Association Against Epilepsy and the Cypriot League Against Epilepsy, organized the 1st Hellenic Epilepsy Conference in Athens, with the participation of many distinguished foreign and Greek speakers. The last day of the conference was mainly devoted to public awareness. This activity was done in relation to the Global Campaign. During this Conference we held elections. The new board decided to have an annual epilepsy event preceding each annual Epilepsy Conference. The Greek League also coordinates multicenter epilepsy studies in Greece.

On 10-12 November 2006 we will hold the 2nd Hellenic Epilepsy Conference in Thessalonica, together with the Greek Association Against Epilepsy and the Cypriot League Against Epilepsy. Global Campaign activities will take place 12 November at the end of the conference, which will be open to the public with speeches from medical and other professionals (journalists, politicians) with questions and discussions between parents/patients and professionals.

Educational activities regarding epilepsy take place during the Annual Greek Neurology Conference and the neurology courses. Similar courses take place during epilepsy seminars organized by different neurology departments.

Summary of Activities in Relation to Global Campaign in 2004 and 2005
In 2005, Global Campaign activities took place the last day of the 1st Hellenic Epilepsy Conference.

Educational Activities
Educational activities regarding epilepsy take place during the Annual Greek Neurology Conference and the neurology courses. Similar courses take place during epilepsy seminars organized by different neurology departments.

Activities in Conjunction with Local IBE Affiliate
Epilepsy awareness day, 2nd Hellenic Epilepsy Congress, 10-12 November 2006.

Future Plans
2nd Hellenic Epilepsy Congress, 10-12 November 2006.

Officer Election Date
October 22nd, 2005

Report Submitted
By Athanasios Covanis

Honduras League Against Epilepsy (Sociedad Hondureña de Epilepsia)

Publications
Revista Hondureña de Neurociencias (Honduran Journal of Neurosciences): (Co-published with the Honduran chapter of the World Federation of Neurology).

Meetings
National Epilepsy Congress.

Summary of Activities in 2004 and 2005

• National Epilepsy Congress. Dr Ramon & Cajal, February 2005. Invited professors: Charlotte Dravet (Center Saint Paul, Marseille, France), Antonio V. Delgado-Escueta (University of California at Los Angeles), Julia Bailey (University of California at Los Angeles), Héctor Hugo García (Instituto de Ciencias Neurológicas at Lima, Perú), Antonio Gil-Nagel (Hospital Ruber Internacional, Madrid, España), Theodore Munsat (Tufts University, Boston and World Federation of Neurology).
• Continuing medical education activities, done through courses co-sponsored with the Honduran College of Physicians in four cities and monthly in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras.
• Co-sponsoring of the National Science Congress with the Salvador Moncada Foundation for the Advacement of Sciences (March 2005).
• Sponsoring of the First Congress of the Honduran Epilepsy Foundation (October 2005).
• Establishment of an EEG unit at the University Hospital in Tegucigalpa, program co-sponsored by the World Federation of Neurology and the Dutch Neurological Society.
• Promotion of epilepsy research by students of pregraduate and postgraduate programs, especially by the Neurology Training Program at the National Autonomous University of Honduras.
• Participation of our members in the International Consortium for Epilepsy Genetics Studies (GENESS). As a result, two novel gene mutations for Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy have been found in two Honduran families.
• Contribution to the formation of new ILAE chapters in Central America.
• Initial steps for the establishment of an epilepsy surgery program in Honduras.
• Publication of several original papers by our members (in Brain, Epilepsia, Neurology, Epilepsy Currents and others). See: Medina MT, Durón RM, Martínez Osorio JR, Estrada AL, et al. Prevalence, Incidence and Causes of Epilepsy in Rural Honduras: The Salamá Study. Epilepsia, 2005;46(5):1-8.

Summary of Activities in Relation to Global Campaign in 2004 and 2005
As described above, activities have been developed in the areas of research, continuing medical education and education to patients and the community. Advocacy for patients is being encouraged through the Honduran Epilepsy Foundation. A first phase of preparation of educational materials in Spanish for the education of patients has been finished together with the Epilepsy Foundation of Los Angeles.

Activities in Conjunction with Local IBE Affiliate
Establishment of the Honduran Epilepsy Foundation in October 2005.

Future Plans

• To continue neuroepidemiological studies that help to determine epidemiological profile of the epilepsies in our country and strategies for control and prevention.
• Continuing medical education in epilepsy for general practitioners and residents of neurology and other specialties.
• To promote collaborative working groups in Central America and other regions.
• To establish an Epilepsy Surgery Program in the country.
• To contribute to the control of preventable epilepsies due to neurocysticercosis, birth trauma and other causes.
• To help the government health system in the design and establishment of guidelines and strategies for better diagnosis, treatment and prevention of epilepsies in Honduras.

Officer Election Date
January 2007

Report Submitted By
Executive Committee

Hong Kong Chapter of the ILAE

Summary of Activities in 2004 and 2005

Scientific Meetings with Invited Guest Speakers (2004)

Date: 6.11.2004
Speaker: Christian E Elger, Bonn, Germany      
Title: Role of New Antiepileptic Drugs In Modern Epilepsy Management; Pre-surgical Evaluation of Intractable Epilepsy: Principles and Practice
Venue: Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers              
Forty-six people attended this symposium which was co-organized with the Hong Kong Neurological Society. CE Elger was elected Honorary Fellow of the Society.

Scientific Meetings with Invited Guest Speakers (2005)

Date: 11.03.2005
Venue: Lecture Theatre, Ground Floor, M Block,
Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Speaker: Michael Murphy (St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia)
Title: Guest lecture:Multimodality Image-Guided Surgery for Medically Refractory Epilepsy

Date: 30.10.2005        
Function: Joint Symposium with Hong Kong Neurological Society (ASM)

Speaker: Emilio Perruca
(University of Pavia, Italy)
Lecture 1: New Antiepileptic Drugs for the Treatment of Epilepsy
Speaker 2: Colin Lui
Lecture 2: Mortality of Epilepsy in Hong Kong
Speaker 3: Patrick Kwan
Lecture 3: Epilepsy Surgery in Hong Kong: Audit of a Regional Center
Speaker 4: WK Chak, KY Yam
Lecture 4: Epilepsy Surgery in Hong Kong:
Special Cases

Date: 1.12.2005
Speaker: Professor Ley Sander (Institute of Neurology University College London, England)
Lectures: New Insights in Epilepsy Management: The WHO Projects in China, Seizure Freedom: Raising Treatment Expectation

Date: 3.12.2005
Function: Supporting organizer in Brain 2005
Venue: Postgraduate Education Center, Prince of Wales Hospital
Speaker 1: Professor Ley Sander
Lecture 1: “Mortality of Epilepsy: Achieving Patients’ Goal of Improved Seizure     Control
Speaker 2: Professor Mark Cook (St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia)
Lecture 2: Imaging and Epilepsy Surgery: Applying New Techniques
Speaker 3: Dr Patrick Kwan
Lecture 3: Drug Transporters and Refractory Epilepsy
Speaker 3: Dr NC Sin
Lecture 3: Management of Catastrophic Pediatric Epilepsies

Summary of Activities in Relation to Global Campaign in 2004 and 2005

• Epilepsy Awareness Day (under planning), Epilepsy awareness day is a social function that include radio talk, charity walk and other fundraising activities. The aim is to improve the awareness of the public toward the epileptic disorder. The Community Rehabilitation Network and Hong Kong Epilepsy Association will be invited for the organization of the event.

Educational Activities
Lectures

• Clinical Evaluation of Epilepsy
• Interictal EEG in Adult Epilepsy
• EEG in Pediatric Epilepsy
• The Use of MRI in Epilepsy
• Functional Imaging in Epilepsy
• Drug Treatment of Epilepsy
• Surgical Treatment of Epilepsy
• Neuropsychology of Epilepsy   
• Community Resources for Persons with Epilepsy.

Patient Education DVD

This project is co-organized by the Community Rehabilitation Network, Hong Kong Epilepsy Society, Hong Kong Society of Child Neurology and Developmental Pediatrics and Hong Kong Epilepsy Association. The preparatory meetings were started in 2004 and are now in the stage of completion. The purpose is to promote public awareness of epilepsy and epilepsy management. The target users are patients, their caregivers, the responsible nursing staff and other paramedical staff. Hopefully it can be delivered to the various groups later as another source of training material.

Public Talk

Organizers: Hong Kong Neurological Society, Hong Kong Epilepsy Association, and Community Rehabilitation Network

Speakers: Joseph MK Lam and NC Sin
Date: May 21,2005
Venue: To be included at a later date
Attendance: 160 participants

Future Plans
Asia Epilepsy Expert Forum, 9-10 June 2006

This two-day event is jointly organized by the Hong Kong Epilepsy Society and Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). The venue will be held at the Postgraduate Medical Center of CUHK. There will be some overseas speakers and audiences from various Asian countries. Andrew Hui will be the coordinator.

Hungarian Epilepsy League - (HEL)

Publications
Books published in Hungarian: