News

Over the past few years, IE News has been included regular articles detailing the history of ILAE as documented in its newsletters. Now, as we reach the final instalment of this excellent series, produced by Ted Reynolds, a former President of ILAE, a compilation of all 10 articles is available for those who may have missed one or two instalments of this most interesting history. Download or view the 1o instalments of the Origins of the ILAE.

The Finnish Epilepsy Lifetime Achievements Award was given to professor Matti Sillanpää by Finnish Epilepsy Association, Epilepsy Research Foundation and Finnish Epilepsy Society on August 4. This Award recognises senior members of the society who have a record of lifetime contributions and accomplishments related to epilepsy research. Professor emeritus Matti Sillanpää celebrates his 80-year anniversary in Turku on August 4. His career as a pediatric neurologist, teacher and researcher is remarkable. His most important research project in epileptology is a population-based longitudinal follow-up study of children with epilepsy. He has followed the same patients at five-year intervals during 50 years. His research work has been widely cited and is well-known all over the world. Professor Sillanpää has also had time for work in both professional and lay organisations on international, national and local levels. He has acted as the President of the Finnish Epilepsy Society, Finnish Epilepsy Association and Epilepsy Research Foundation. Matti Sillanpää's work has influenced the status of people with epilepsy and improved their possibilities to lead a normal life. People with epilepsy have always been very much at his heart. He sees with great satisfaction that the attitudes towards epilepsy have improved and people with epilepsy have better [...]

When a person, or their loved one, is diagnosed with epilepsy it can be a stressful time. One of the most important things is getting the appropriate information on the brain disease and finding out how to continue everyday life despite it. A site called Living Well With Epilepsy has been fulfilling that role for the past seven years. Started by Jessica Keenan Smith from Philadelphia, the site reaches out to people dealing with epilepsy. Jessica has the brain disease herself and has lived with it for over two decades. She brings a unique perspective to Living Well With Epilepsy, as she was diagnosed as a teen after having several grand mal seizures. Using the lessons learned throughout her career in nonprofit marketing she started the site as a simple blog. The site has grown and developed based on a world-wide need for information on epilepsy. Since it’s humble beginnings, Living Well With Epilepsy has into a resource for the millions of people living with and caring for those living with epilepsy. That’s why organisations and companies involved in exciting new developments in epilepsy rely on Living Well With Epilepsy to disseminate the news through the site and social media channels. [...]

The Swaziland Epilepsy Organization has reported to us that a Consultant Clinical Neurophysiologist from the United Kingdom has offered Swaziland three EEG machines free of charge as well as TeleEEG reporting over the internet. The consultant, Dr Steve Coates, has set up EEG equipment and trained staff in Myanmar, India, Nepal, Laos and the United Kingdom. He made the offer after learning of Swaziland’s lack of these services. He will arrive, with the EEG machine and his assistant, in Swaziland on July 3, 2016 for one week. The Swaziland Epilepsy Organization, which enjoys the patronage of HRH Prince Bandzile, has thanked the IBE and ILAE for the support they gave in spreading the message about the lack of EEG machines. These developments will help in diagnosing Sawzi people with epilepsy in the appropriate manner.

The Golden Light Awards presentation was recently held in Hong Kong at the 11th Asian & Oceanian Epilepsy Congress. The awards were presented by IBE President, Athanasios Covanis and IBE Western Pacific Region Chair, Denise Chapman at the welcome ceremony of the 11th AOEC. Note: Yin Chan LOKE, Singapore could not be present to collect her award. M AMARJARGAL, Mongolia Amrita BHASHYAM, India Rosalind CHEE, Malaysia Jeong Ja JEE, South Korea Kim MEERS, Australia Wai Hung NG, Hong Kong Kabindra Man PRADHAN accepting the award on behalf of Kun Hoo RHEE, Nepal Zhi-Gang WANG, China Lauria Liu YI, Taiwan

The 14th European Conference on Epilepsy & Society will take place in Prague from September 15 to 16. Registration for this event is now open at epilepsyandsociety.org/registration. Sign up now and avail of the early registration rate! In addition, for this congress we have launched a special registration deal; BUY 3 REGISTRATIONS FOR THE PRICE OF 2! The conference aims to inform people with epilepsy and their families, as well as those working in the field of epilepsy about new developments in epilepsy treatment, associated cognitive dysfunction related to epilepsies and the psychosocial implications that derive from this common brain disorder and, of course, to provide solutions. Above all, this meeting will facilitate communication and exchange of ideas among people with epilepsy and professionals in the field right across Europe. The programme includes morning plenary sessions and afternoon discussion groups with as large as possible participation by delegates. Special emphasis is being placed on Posters so we would encourage you to prepare your latest work for submission.

The Asian and Oceanian Outstanding Achievement Epilepsy Award (AOEA) was introduced by the Commission of Asian and Oceanian Affairs (CAOA) of the ILAE in 2010. The purpose of the Award is to recognise and pay tribute to medical or non-medical professionals for their extraordinary contributions to Epilepsy Care. It is our highest honour, and is given for the lifetime of the recipient. Recipients will be invited to attend the 11th Asian and Oceanian Epilepsy Congress in Hong Kong, May 2016, to receive the Award, a plaque and a small gift. Whilst the Award does not carry monetary value or provide travel or accommodation expenses, recipients will be offered free (non-transferable) registration to the Congress. For more information download the Nomination Form and Award Rules.

The programme for the IBE Day at the 9th Latin American Congress on Epilepsy is available on the congress website. See more about the congress at www.epilepsycancun2016.org and the IBE Day detailed schedule. The day is schedule for Saturday, August 20 and will run from 9am to 5.30pm. The day will comprise 10 talks and will finish with a round table discussion and questions and answers session. More details on registration will be available soon.

The programme for the Epilepsy & Society Symposium on Sunday, May 15 promises to be both educational and engaging with innovative topics being discussed. Renaming epilepsy has been a major event and talks will focus on the impact and experiences that this has caused. Nonetheless, the fight against stigma continues and different personal stories shall be shared before focusing on how public awareness of epilepsy has been enhanced both locally in Hong Kong and also in nearby Taiwan. With technology in epilepsy continuously advancing, a recently developed mobile app for patients with epilepsy will be examined and a discussion on how this and other tools from around the region can enhance the quality of life of those with epilepsy particularly our children. A more lighthearted approach will be taken as one sits back to enjoy a special puppet performance on epilepsy put together by Kids on the Block. As always, the emphasis for the Epilepsy & Society Symposium is about meeting old friends and new, sharing tales and learning something that will enrich the lives of those with epilepsy. Registration Fees Early (On/Before April 29, 2016) US$ 50 Final (from April 30, 2016) US$ 65 www.epilepsyhongkong2016.org