14th European Epilepsy Congress

Thank you for attending the European Epilepsy Congress 2022.

We hope you found the congress rewarding and had the opportunity to network with colleagues from around the world, both in-person and online. Thank you for your participation and active contribution.

 

The 14th European Epilepsy Congress took place in Geneva, Switzerland from 9-13 July and attracted participants from 83 countries. This congress marked the return to in-person meetings for the ILAE. Delegates were enthusiastic to travel to Geneva to meet with colleagues, friends and peers once again.

The programme comprised of over 100 sessions, where more than 320 speakers led lectures and discussions on diagnosis and treatment advances, new research, epilepsy surgery and social aspects of epilepsy.

At the Chairs’ Symposium, ‘Precision medicine for patients with epilepsy – are we there yet?, chaired by the congress co-chairs Eugen Trinka and Margitta Seeck, speakers gave insights into what we can expect for epilepsy care with discussion on how genetic findings impact patients’ treatment and prognosis, also how new imaging tools will advance patients’ diagnosis and treatment to the next level and how new avenues in drug development will have an impact on patients’ life.  Finally, there was a discussion from a global perspective on what is needed to bring advances in diagnosis and treatment to the population.

Another six Main Sessions covered a vibrant mix of topics: ‘Future therapies for epilepsy’, ‘Is it possible to predict outcome in childhood epilepsies?’, ‘Novel approaches to drug discovery’, ‘How to deal with multiple failed epilepsy surgeries?’, ‘Neurodegeneration and epilepsy’, and ‘Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and other Neurological Disorders’.

In addition, the programme offered 32 Parallel Sessions, with topics such as status epilepticus, neuroimaging, paediatric and adult epileptology, neuropsychology, basic science, genetics, surgery, drug-resistant epilepsy and treatment. A half-day surgery symposium, the Neurobiology Symposium and the ILAE Europe - EAN Symposium also took place. Rounding out the programme was a session on the Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and other Neurological Disorders (IGAP) ‘Get ready for the next decade: Advancing research, diagnosis and care for epilepsy in 2022-31: plan of global actions’.

EEC Forums were organised by topical commissions and special interest groups. These sessions addressed specialised or focused topics and included shorter (or no) lectures, with more time for questions and participation by delegates.

Winners of the ILAE Journal Prizes presented their award-winning work at the Award Symposia over two days of the congress.

The expanded teaching programme took place on the first day of the congress. Nine courses were offered: a full-day course on neuroimaging and eight half-day courses, plus multiple 60-minute teaching sessions throughout the congress.

Participants could view more than 500 presentations of original data as oral presentations in Platform Sessions and as interactive posters.

The ILAE YES organised four brainstorming sessions in an open and informal format, all of which proved very popular.

ILAE YES also conducted its peer-to-peer mentoring programme, in which experienced fellows and postdocs act as mentors to younger colleagues at the congress, and possibly beyond.

The ILAE Mentor-Mentee programme, involving the allocation of a mentor, an experienced individual in the research/clinical area in which trainee demonstrates an interest, to a trainee, took place once again. This programme has been going from strength to strength since its beginnings.

Epi-Suisse the local patient organisation held a Patient Forum on Saturday, 9 July. It consisted of 3 hours of presentations on topical issues that affect the day-to-day lives of people living with epilepsy, non-drug treatment options, stress and emotions – the impact on epilepsy,  and pregnancy and epilepsy.  

The newly formed ILAE Networking Task Force wanted to make the EEC 2022 even more engaging for delegates and faculty alike, and proposed Networking Sessions on specific topics, including genetics, paediatric epileptology, status epilepticus and surgery. Attendees joined experts in certain topics at designated times throughout the congress and discussed and interacted on the topic.

Several awards were acknowledged and presented during the Welcome Ceremony on Saturday, 9 July.

ILAE Europe – European Epilepsy Epileptology Award: Meir Bialer (Israel)

ILAE Europe – European Epilepsy Education Award: Alexis Arzimanoglou (France)

ILAE Europe – European Epilepsy Service Award: Stanislav Groppa (Moldova)

ILAE Europe – Young Investigator Award: Simon Keller (United Kingdom)

ILAE Europe – Young Investigator Award: Maeike Zijlmans (Netherlands)

‘Epilepsia’ Prize – Basic Science: Carmen de Caro (Italy) 

‘Epilepsia’ Prize – Clinical Science: Margherita Contento (Italy) 

‘Epilepsia Open’ Prize – Clinical Science: Hanna Hulshof (Netherlands) & Barbara Benova (Czech Republic) 

‘Epileptic Disorders’ Educational Prize: Ludovica Maria Piscitello (Italy)

The final session of the congress was the ‘Highlights Session’ chaired by Congress Co-chairs, Eugen Trinka and Margitta Seeck.The session looked at the very best from the sessions and presentations during the congress on topics including pharmacology, adult epileptology, paediatrics, basic science and surgery. This session was highly attended indicating the success of a return to in-person congresses.

 

SCIENTIFIC & ORGANISING COMMITTEE

CO-CHAIRS

EEC 2022 Eugen-Trinka

Eugen Trinka (Austria)

EEC 2022 Seeck Margitta

Margitta Seeck (Switzerland)

Members: 

Sándor Beniczky (Denmark)
Stephan Rüegg (Switzerland)
Meir Bialer (Israel)
Karl Schaller (Switzerland)
Alla Guekht (Russia)
Nicola Specchio (Italy)
Caroline Neuray (Austria)
Barbara Tettenborn (Switzerland)
Georgia Ramantani (Switzerland)
Matthew Walker (United Kingdom)

 

Please check here regularly as we continue to provide updates and relevant information about the congress.If you have any queries, please contact eec@epilepsycongress.org.

 

***Please beware of unauthorised agencies***

Please do not engage with unofficial companies claiming to sell registrations, accommodation or other services on behalf of the congress.

There is no official accommodation agency for this congress.

Registration for the congress is only via https://www.ilae.org/eec2022.

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