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  Rasmussen,   Dr Theodore Ravnik,   Dr Igor Rektor, Dr Ivan Reynolds,   Prof EH Richens,   Dr Alan Robb,   Dr Preston Robinson,   Dr Lenna-Belle Rodin,   Dr EA Rodriguez, Dr Jorge Sanchez Roger,   Prof J Ruberti,   Prof Renato F Rubio-Donnadieu,   Dr Fr Ryvlin, Philippe S Sander,   Prof JWAS Satishchandra, Dr Parthasarthy Santilli,   Mrs Nancy Saxena,   Dr Vinod S Schachter,   Dr Steven Scheffer, Dr Ingrid Scherer,   Mrs Ann Schilarski,   Dr Marie-Luise Schmidt,   Dr Dieter Schoenberg,   Dr Bruce Schwartzkroin,   Dr Ph A Seino,   Dr Masakazu Senanayake,   Dr Nimal Servit,   Prof Zdenek Seyffert,   Mr J Shah,   Dr Pravina Shorvon,   Dr S Sillanpaa,   Dr Matti Somerville,   Dr Ernest Sonnen,   Dr AEH Sorel,   Prof Lucien Spencer, Dr Dennis Stefan,   Dr H Tan,   Prof CT Tanaka, Tatsuya Tassinari,   Prof CA Theodore,   Dr William Thomas,   Dr Madison Thomas, Sanjeev Thompson,   Mrs Pamela J Thorbecke,   Mr Rupprecht Tinuper,   Dr P Tits,   Mlle Millie Tomson,   Dr T Tower,   Dr Donald Trimble,   Dr Michael R Trinka, Prof Eugen Troxell,   Mr Jim Tsai,   Dr [...]

State of the Art and Opportunities for the Future The event will gather together all EU-funded and currently ongoing research projects specifically focused on epilepsy. Several laboratories and research institutions in Europe are supported from the EU for research on the mechanisms of epileptogenesis and on the development of new therapies. Currently, six projects are receiving funds from the EU and they account for a total EU investment of about 70 million euros. Coordinators and partners of each project will be invited to present their results and future aims and so will provide a vision of EU epilepsy research highlighting the areas of promising developments. On the occasion, major international funding agencies both public and private will be invited to present their portfolios of research-funding initiatives. Amongst the esteemed speakers, will be IBE Secretary General, Sari Tervonen, who will present the topic - "Promoting Epilepsy Care and Research" The aim of the event is to build a framework for epilepsy research in Europe and to identify opportunities for the future. To view the Full Programme and Registration details PLEASE CLICK HERE Click Image to Download

The Lancet published the following article. Volume 385, No. 9967, p482, 7 February 2015 A voice for people with epilepsy Feb 9, 2015, will be the first International Epilepsy Day—a collaborative effort between The International Bureau of Epilepsy (IBE) and the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) to raise awareness and encourage discussion about epilepsy. Such efforts are urgently needed—more than 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, more than 75% of whom live in low-income countries. In 2013, 119 000 deaths worldwide were attributable to epilepsy, and only one other disorder (HIV infection) has greater disability weight than uncontrolled, severe epilepsy. What causes this high burden? 40% of patients in high-income countries and more than 70% of patients in developing countries do not get the treatment they need, because of the high expense or low availability of appropriate drugs. Additionally, epilepsy is still a stigmatised disease—false beliefs that people with epilepsy are disabled or mentally ill are common. In developing countries, the stigmas can be even more profound because epilepsy is thought to be contagious and associated with witchcraft; many people avoid touching patients during seizures, when simple forms of care could prevent dangerous situations. Opportunities for marriage and employment are also severely [...]

urkish Association of Travel Agencies confirms that Turkey is s safe destination for tourists and the final plans for the 31st International Epilepsy Congress are put in place. Istanbul promises to provide an excellent venue for the congress. Read the letter issued by the Turkish Association of Travel Agencies

EMBARGO 21 JULY9.00 a.m.CET 22 July: World Brain Day 2015 devoted to epilepsy “Epilepsy is more than seizures” – Global awareness-raising for the underestimated burden of epilepsy – 75-80 percent of people with epilepsy in low income countries do not have access to medication “Epilepsy is more than seizures” is the motto of this year’s World Brain Day. This awareness campaign initiated by the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) and staged all over the world every year on 22 July is dedicated to bringing more attention to the importance of brain health and the prevention of brain diseases. This year, the WFN’s awareness efforts are supported also by the International Bureau for Epilepsy, the International League Against Epilepsy and the World Health Organization. More than 50 million people worldwide live with epilepsy, but diagnostic and therapeutic resources are unequally distributed globally.   London, July 2015 – “Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic neurological diseases. It is estimated to affect more than 50 million people around the world, and about 2.4 million people are newly diagnosed every year”, according to Dr Raad Shakir, President of the World Federation of Neurology (WFN). “However, there is a lack of awareness in the [...]

IBE is pleased to announce that Ann Little, IBE Executive Director, has been elected as President of the European Federation of Neurological Associations for the two-year term 2015-2017. The election took place at the General Assembly of EFNA, held during the 1st Congress of the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) in Berlin. EFNA is a network of neurological patient advocacy groups, focused on the field of neurology whose mission is to influence policy makers and legislators, particularly in European Member countries but also across the continent of Europe. Ann Little, IBE Executive Director, newly elected President of EFNA In line with IBE’s own mission, EFNA aims to encourage the implementation of the necessary resource priorities in order to reduce stigma and improve the quality of lives of people with a neurological disorder. Whilst remaining independent, EFNA also co-operates with the EAN and other agencies working in the field. Members of EFNA include European Multiple Sclerosis Platform, European Headache Alliance, Motor Neurone Disease Association, and Stroke Alliance Europe, as well as associations representing rare neurological disorders including International Huntington Association, Dystonia Europe, euro-ATAXIA and European Alliance for Restless Legs Syndrome.

IBE is pleased to learn that the EU Citizens Initiative – Stop Vivisection, which was submitted to the European Commission (EC) in early March, with an aim to repeal the existing European Directive (2010/63/EU) on the protection of animals used for scientific purpose, and presenting “a new proposal that does away with animal experimentation”, has not been successful. In recent weeks, IBE and the International League Against Epilepsy had been actively involved in bringing to the notice of policy makers in Brussels the implications that would arise should animal vivisection for medical research be halted. Last week, on Wednesday 27th May, the Commission announced its response to the Stop Vivisection initiative in which it states that the Commissions ‘does not intend to submit a proposal to repeal Directive 2010/63/EU and is not intending to propose the adoption of a new legislative framework’. The response also states that the EC recognises the need for further advancement of scientific before alternatives can be developed for all areas where testing still occurs and adds that: “The EU Commission will continue to promote the development and implementation of alternative approaches, encourage cooperation and knowledge sharing across sectors, validate new methods and facilitate their regulatory approval.” [...]

Children with epilepsy – families tell their stories” are four films recently published by The Norwegian Epilepsy Association. The films are made by Elisabeth Aspelin og Halvor Nittteberg. They are film producers and parents to a young boy with epilepsy. Elisabeth and Halvor have produced the films they wished existed when their own son got epilepsy. They hope the films will be an inspiration to families living with epilepsy, and that they give insight to how families manage their everyday life without being controlled of fear of seizures.

The ILAE and IBE Executive Committees, the AES-ILAE Translational Research Task Force, and the Neurobiology Commission of the ILAE have sent a letter of response to the members of the European Parliament to oppose the March 3rd, 2015, European Citizens Initiative Stop Vivisection. This initiative, which requests the phasing out of animal experimentation in biomedical research in Europe, is expected to be discussed and voted on in the parliament in the next couple of months. The position of the ILAE-IBE is that this initiative is deleterious for the future of biomedical research. IBE Members in the European Region are being urged, therefore, to contact their national Members of the European Parliament asking them to oppose this Citizens Initiative. Read the IBE-ILAE position paper CLICK HERE