Chapter Name: Chilean League Against Epilepsy
Report By: Dr Juan Salinas, President; Dr Carla Manterola, General Secretary; Dr Perla David, Director

Publications:

Chilean Journal of Epilepsy
The Chilean Journal of Epilepsy is the official publication of our Society. Dr. Juan Luis Moya features as its main editor, taking the place of Dr. Perla David, who developed an incomparable work for several years and resigned her labor as Editor in October 2017. During 2017-2018, we released the 17th and 18th volumes of this Journal, each one composed of three numbers (the 3rd number of the 18th volume is in press currently). Next yea,r we shall release three brand new chapters as part of the 19th volume.

Among the published material, we can mention: original papers, case reports, reviews and updates. We must remark that the journal number corresponding to August 2017 (volume 17, number 2) included publications from notable authors, all of them dedicated to the memory of Dr. Marcelo Devilat Barros, foundational member of our Society, who had passed out in June 2017. It became kind of a special edition, a small but significant tribute to the man who fought bravely for decades, trying to get epilepsy “out of the shadows”, and defending fiercely the rights of people with epilepsy and their families. May he rest in peace. Our current official ISSN number is 0719-5397. This is the product of the hard work and dedication of the Journal staff, especially due to the efforts of Dr. David. The magazine is also available online on its own website http://www.revistachilenadeepilepsia.cl/.

Continuing Medical Education
Between September and November of the current year, we performed the first version of our Continuing Medical Education (CME) Course, denominated "Updates in Epilepsy". This course was presented in the e-learning format, and it counted with the participation of more than 100 health professionals (including general physicians, neurologists, pediatric neurologists and residents, among others). It became a unique opportunity to review topics of general interest related to the epilepsies.

Webpage
Our website http://www.epilepsiadechile.com/, is available for members and the general public. We have published information about the Society and issues related to epilepsy, in the following sections:
1) Index
2) Introduction
3) Activities (Regular Meetings, Winter Symposium on Epilepsy, Continuing Medical Education)
4) Notes (Updates on epilepsy, History of epilepsy)
5) News about epilepsy
6) Staff and Associates
7) Links to ILAE, IBE, WHO and MINSAL; and to the Chilean Journal of Epilepsy
8) Contact


The site has played an important role for university students, who are the main users asking for references and information. We also receive frequent requests from patients themselves and their relatives. Under the spirit to expand knowledge about epilepsy in medical fields and among the community, we have collaborated with national diffusion of epilepsy-related topics actively through the website. Some of the presentations from our meetings (including the Winter Symposium on Epilepsy) have been shared at the webpage under prior authorization from its authors, and they can be downloaded free-of-charge

Library
Our library, located at the headquarters of the Society, receives a great number of journals and other publications. Epilepsia, the official publication of the ILAE, is received in our offices from 1999 to current date, and it is available for members at the headquarters of the Society of Epileptology of Chile, in addition to being online. Furthermore, we keep a paperback collection of the eighteen volumes of the Chilean Journal of Epilepsy, which can also be accessed by our Society members and health professionals in general.

Activities with Local IBE Affiliates

National Affiliations
Our Society maintains continuous interaction with:
• The Society of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery (SONEPSYN);
• The Society of Psychiatry and Neurology of Infancy and Adolescence (SOPNIA);
• The Chilean Society of Pediatrics (SOCHIPE);
• The Chilean Society of Clinical Neurophysiology (SOCHINEUROFISIOL); and
• The Association of Leagues against Epilepsy, Chile (ANLICHE).

Members of the board participate in the Epilepsy Regulatory Group of the Ministry of Health of Chile (MINSAL): Dr. Juan Luis Moya, Dr. Rubén Darío Ramírez, Dr. Juan Salinas.

The connections between our Society (Chilean Chapter of ILAE) and the Chilean League against Epilepsy (Chilean Chapter of IBE) have grown strong during the last year, and there are various upcoming projects for our institutions to work together.

International Affiliations
The Society is a member of the Latin American Affairs Committee of the International League against Epilepsy.

Celebration of Latin American Day of Epilepsy
As we mentioned previously, we celebrated the Latin American Day of Epilepsy on September 9th, 2018. The Chilean League Against Epilepsy organized a commemorative activity on September 12th, involving the participation of the majority of institutions that are currently working in epilepsy. Our board participated actively in this meeting and Dr. Juan Luis Moya gave a speech on behalf of the Society, making a call to build bridges between institutions and to join forces together in collaborative groups.

Summary of Activities:

Regular Meetings

Taking place the second Saturday of every month during 2017-2018. Due to the increasing number of epilepsy-related symposia held in our country -usually supported by our society, some of the original meetings were rescheduled.
• Regular Meeting Nº 172:
Saturday, March 11th, 2017 “ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CHILEAN SOCIETY OF EPILEPTOLOGY”
Society Board
• Regular Meeting Nº 173
Saturday, April 8th, 2017 “PROTOCADHERIN 19 AND ITS ROLE IN EPILEPSY”
Dr Cristian Cuitiño
Pediatric Neurology Resident, Dr Luis Calvo Mackenna Hospital
• Regular Meeting Nº 174
Saturday, May 20th, 2017 “EPILEPSY AND ATTENTION-DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD)”
Dr Macarena Bertrán, Pediatric Neurologist, Talca Regional Hospital
• XVII WINTER SYMPOSIUM ON EPILEPSY
Friday, June 2nd, and Saturday, 3rd, 2017
“EPILEPSY AS A MARKER OF DISEASE”
International Guest: Dr Jaume Campistol
Pediatric Neurologist, Sant Joan de Déu Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
• Regular Meeting Nº 175
Saturday, July 8th, 2017
“ETHOSUXIMIDE IN CHILD ABSENCE EPILEPSY WITH ROLANDIC SPIKES”
Dr Álvaro Velásquez
Pediatric Neurologist, Chilean League Against Epilepsy/German Clinic
• Regular Meeting Nº 176
Saturday, August 19th, 2017
“NATIONAL EPILEPSY PROGRAM – MINISTRY OF HEALTH”
Dr Lilian Cuadra
Pediatric Neurologist, Dr, Alfonso Asenjo Institute of Neurosurgery
• Regular Meeting N°177
Saturday, September 9th, 2017
"REVISED CLASSIFICATION OF SEIZURES AND EPILEPSIES"
Dr Johnny Montiel Pediatric Neurologist, Children’s Institute of Health, Lima, Perú
Dr Juan Luis Moya Pediatric Neurologist, Dr Luis Calvo Mackenna Hospital/University of Chile
• Regular Meeting N°178
Saturday, October 14th, 2017
“EARLY-ONSET EPILEPTIC ENCEPHALOPATHIES”
Dr Carolina Quintana Pediatric Neurologist
Dr Exequiel González Cortés Hospital
• Regular Meeting Nº 179
Saturday, November 11th, 2017
“NEW HORIZONS IN THE TREATMENT OF NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES: LIPOFUSCINOSIS AS A PARADIGM”
Dr Nicola Specchio
Pediatric Neurologist, Neuroscience Department, Bambino Gesú Children Hospital, Rome, Italy
• Regular Meeting Nº 180
Saturday, March 17th, 2017
“ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CHILEAN SOCIETY OF EPILEPTOLOGY”
Society Board
• Regular Meeting Nº 181
Saturday, April 14th, 2018
“EPILEPSY AND GLUT-1 DEFICIENCY”
Dr Patricio Lacaux Uribe
Pediatric Neurologist, San Juan de Dios Hospital
• REGULAR MEETING N°182
Saturday, June 9th, 2018
“NONEPILEPTIC PAROXYSMAL EVENTS”
Dr José Ignacio Marín
Pediatric Neurology Resident, Catholic University of Chile
• XVIII WINTER SYMPOSIUM ON EPILEPSY
Friday, July 6th, and Saturday, July 7th, 2018
“OLD QUESTIONS, NEW ANSWERS?”
Internacional Guest: Dr Giuseppe Gobbi
Pediatric Neurologist, Institute of Neurologic Sciences, Ospedale Bellaria, Bologna, Italy
• Regular Meeting Nº 183
Saturday, August 11th, 2018
“PRESURGICAL ASSESSMENT AND INVESTIGATION IN REFRACTORY EPILEPSY”
Dr Reinaldo Uribe San Martín
Neurologist, Catholic University of Chile/Dr Sótero Del Río Hospital
• Regular Meeting Nº 184
Saturday, September 8th, 2018 “SURGICAL TREATMENT OF CAVERNOME-RELATED EPILEPSY”Dr Francisco José Rojas Zalazar
Neurosurgeon, Dr Alfonso Asenjo Institute of Neurosurgery
• Regular Meeting N°185
Saturday, October 20th, 2017
"ANTI-NMDA-R ENCEPHALITIS IN PEDIATRIC POPULATION"
Dr Jovanka Pavlov Pediatric Neurologist, Carabineer Hospital/German Clinic/Chilean League Against Epilepsy
2. Congresses, Courses and Symposia

Year 2017
XVII Winter Symposium on Epilepsy

On June 2nd and June 3rd, 2017, the XVI Winter Symposium on Epilepsy was held at the Neruda Hotel (Providencia, Santiago, Chile). Its motto was “Epilepsy as a marker of disease”. It was a pleasure to receive Dr. Jaume Campistol, our special guest from Sant Joan de Déu Hospital (Barcelona, Spain), who shared with us his enormous experience in the field of metabolic disease in children. We also enjoyed diverse conferences by leader local neurologists and neurophysiologists, as well as the presentation of original works from clerks, residents and specialists.
Organizing Committee: Dr. Juan Salinas & Dr. Juan Moya (presidents), Dr. Carla Manterola, Dr. Perla David, Dr. Cayetano Napolitano, Dr. Rubén Darío Ramírez.

XXXV SOPNIA Congress
From November 15th to November 17th, 2017, the XXXV Congress of the Society of Psychiatry and Neurology of Childhood and Adolescence (SOPNIA) was celebrated at the Enjoy Hotel in Puerto Varas (Los Lagos Region, Chile). Our Society had a participation in a tribute session dedicated to honor the legacy of Dr. Marcelo Devilat Barros, notable Child Neurologist and former President of our Society, deceased recently.

LXXII SONEPSYN Congress
From November 9th to November 8th, 2017, the Society of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery (SONEPSYN) celebrated its LXXII Congress, taking place at the Enjoy Hotel in the beautiful city of Viña del Mar (Valparaíso Region, Chile). The Congress was supported by our Society and we had the chance to attend interesting exhibitions by distinguished Neurologists and Psychiatrists from overseas.

Year 2018
I International Symposium on Child Neurological Emergencies (Dávila Clinic, Santa María Clínic)
The 1st International Symposium on Child Neurological Emergencies, organized by Dávila Clinic and Santa María Clinic, took place on April 12th and April 13th, 2018, at the Aula Magna of Los Andes University. Prominent neurologists, including specialists in epilepsy, were part of the academic program. This event was sponsored by our Society.

IX International Symposium on Epilepsy (Las Condes Clinic)
Las Condes Clinic celebrated its 9th International Symposium on epilepsies on May 31st and June 1st, 2018. This year’s premise was denominated “Epilepsy: diagnostic and therapeutic controversies”. Expositors from Europe and the United States were invited, and the event was supported by our Society.

XVIII Winter Symposium on Epilepsy
On July 6th and July 7th, 2018, the XVIII Winter Symposium on Epilepsy was held at the Neruda Hotel (Providencia, Santiago, Chile). Its motto was “Old questions, new answers?”. Dr. Giuseppe Gobbi, child neurologist from the Institute of Neurological Sciences at Bologna, Italy, was our special guest speaker. Dr. Gobbi gave us his points of view in the management of infantile spasms and continuous spike-and-wave of sleep (CSWS), aside from being a really nice guest to work with. As usual, we also included diverse conferences by leader local neurologists and neurophysiologists, and the presentation of original works from clerks, residents and specialists.
Organizing Committee: Dr. Claudia Riffo & Dr. Álvaro Velásquez (presidents), Dr. Carla Manterola, Dr. Perla David, Dr. Juan Salinas, Dr. Rubén Darío Ramírez.

X Congreso Latinoamericano de Epilepsia/Latin American Congress on Epilepsy, LACE
The 10th Latin American Congress on Epilepsy (LACE) was celebrated in San José, Costa Rica, from September 29th to October 2nd, 2018. Two of our board members attended the congress (Dr. Juan Luis Moya and Dr. Darío Ramírez). The annual report of our Society was presented by Dr. Alejandro De Marinis (representative of Chilean League against Epilepsy) in the general assembly of Latin American chapters, held on September 27th.
XXXVI SOPNIA Congress

From November 7th to November 9th, 2018, the XXXVI Congress of the Society of Psychiatry and Neurology of Childhood and Adolescence (SOPNIA) was celebrated at the Santa Cruz Plaza Hotel in Santa Cruz City (O’Higgins Region, Chile). This event was sponsored by our Society, and we could enjoy remarkable expositions by renowned speakers, next to one of the biggest vineyard areas in the whole country.
LXXIII SONEPSYN Congress

From November 7th to November 9th, 2017, the Society of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery (SONEPSYN) celebrated its LXXIII Congress, taking place at the Enjoy Hotel in Pucón (Araucanía Region, Chile). The Congress was sponsored by our Society and we had the chance to attend interesting exhibitions by distinguished specialists.

Current Challenges in Epilepsy (German Clinic)
German Clinic held its biennial epilepsy symposium, and the chosen motto for the 2018 edition was “Current Challenges in Epilepsy: from the simple ones to the complicated ones”. Illustrious specialists from overseas gathered at the Clinic’s Aula Magna on November 29th and November 30th. The event was sponsored by our Society.

Continuing Education in Epilepsy 2018
Due to the great number of courses dedicated to epilepsy, with direct participation of our board members, it became difficult to launch our e-learning course this year. We are already planning a well-developed program for 2019, under the name “Semiology in epilepsies”.


Activities in Relation to the Global Campaign

Celebration of Latin American Day of Epilepsy
We celebrated the Latin American Day of Epilepsy on September 9th, 2018. The Chilean League Against Epilepsy organized a commemorative activity on September 12th, 2018, involving the participation of most institutions that are currently working in epilepsy. Our board participated actively in this meeting and Dr. Juan Luis Moya gave a speech on behalf of the Society, making a call to build bridges between institutions and to join forces together in collaborative groups.

Challenges:

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Future Plans:

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Officer Election Date: n/a