Chapter Name: Israeli League Against Epilepsy
Report By: Prof Bruria Ben-Zeev

Publications:

COVID-19 outbreak provided an immediate and compulsory challenge to epilepsy clinicians regarding the implications for patients with epilepsy and possible drug interactions between the anti COVID-19 therapies and ASMs. The Israeli chapter was among the first worldwide to provide a concise review on this topic, written by Prof. Sara Eyal and reviewed by the chapter representatives. A preliminary guideline which was distributed to Israeli physicians as early as in March 2020 was later published as an article (1) in the Israeli Medical association Journal (attached). Another version was distributed to patients through the EYAL website in March.

In the last few days we produced a document based on current knowledge advising neurologists and patients themselves on the consensus approach to COVID-19 vaccination in patients with epilepsy.

1- Ekstein D, Noyman I, Fahoum F, Herskovitz M, Linder I, Ben Zeev B, Eyal S. Treating Epilepsy Patients with Investigational Anti-COVID-19 Drugs: Recommendations by the Israeli Chapter of the ILAE. Isr Med Assoc J. 2020 Nov;11(22):665-672. PMID: 33249784.

Summary of Activities:

2020:
The Israeli ILAE Chapter consists of a balanced mixture of Adult and Pediatric Neurologists as well as a Professor of Pharmacology. The six elected representatives who are medical doctors are experienced clinicians, heading epilepsy Centers and having extensive daily interaction with patients and health providers. All are involved in scientific activity.

The Israeli chapter members include physicians, nurses, pharmacists, scientists, EEG technicians and students. The 2020 activities are listed below:

Challenges:

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Future Plans:

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Officer Election Date: .