22nd San Servolo Advanced Epilepsy Course

Epilepsies Throughout Childhood: In-Depth Phenotyping and Management

San Servolo (Venice), Italy

20 - 31 July 2026

The primary objective of the Advanced Epilepsy Course is to train participants to improve their critical skills in the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of epilepsies in childhood. The objectives of the Course are: i) to understand the types, etiology, and pathophysiology of epilepsies in childhood and adolescence, with a particular focus on early-onset epilepsies; ii) to analyse the pathogenesis of related comorbidities; iii) update on current therapeutic options; iv) to detail the clinical research methodology applicable to the study of early-onset epilepsies; v) to understand unresolved issues related to the diagnosis and treatment of these forms.

The Course is open to specialists and residents in pediatric neurology, pediatrics, clinical neurophysiology, and neurology; neuroscientists and doctoral students are welcome to apply. To ensure optimal interaction with the faculty, a maximum of 45 candidates will be selected based on their CVs. The possibility of ensuring the participation of trainees from different geographical origins and disciplines will be taken into consideration.

Course Directors: Kette Valente (Brasil) and Nicola Specchio (Italy)

Faculty: Kette Valente (Brasil), Nicola Specchio (Italy), Danielle Andrade (Canada), Stephane Auvin (France), Giuliano Avanzini (Italy), Simona Balestrini (Italy), Sara Baldassari (France), Francesca Bisulli (Italy), Kees Braun (Nederlands), Gaetano Cantalupo (Italy), Fernanado Cende (Brasil), Helen Cross (UK), Ania Dabrowski (USA), Luca De Palma (Italy), Elena Gardella (Denmark), Tiziana Granata (Italy), Julia Jacobs (Canada), Rima Nabbout (France), Massimo Mantegazza (France), Veronica Pelliccia (Italy), Ronit Pressler (UK), Ingrid Scheffer (Australia), Marina Trivisano (Italy), Jo Wilmshurst (South Africa), Elaine Wirrell (USA), and Sameer Zuberi (UK).

Registration fee: 3.800 € (single room) and 3.400 € (shared two-bed room) VAT included.

The registration fee includes:

  • accommodation from 20 - 31 July (11 nights)
  • full board and coffee breaks for the entire duration of the Course
  • access to the Course apps and to the Venice International University facilities

Please, send the application forms (download here) to epilepsysummercourse@univiu.org to the attention of Valentina Guarino. The application deadline is 15 January 2026.

A limited number of scholarships are available to cover registration and local expenses (no travel costs).