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Merritt-Putnam Symposium: Beyond Seizures: Mechanisms Underlying Epilepsy Spectrum Disorder
Program Length: 165 minutes
Non Credit
Overview
Over the last several years, our field has becomeincreasingly aware of the complex relationships between epilepsy and a host ofcognitive, behavioral, psychiatric, and other neurological disorders, and evensudden death.
Clinical evidence supports the hypothesis that theunderlying pathologies responsible for causing epilepsy may directly contributeto cognitive and other disorders associated with epilepsy. At the same time,increasing evidence points to a direct role for seizures themselves incontributing to the cognitive and behavioral disorders seen in epilepsy.Laboratory models are elucidating both sets of mechanisms. Recent evidencesuggests that seizures and epilepsy may also be components of other cognitivedisorders, such as autism and dementia. In addition, many anticonvulsant drugsare also used for neuropsychiatric indications, supporting at least partiallyshared mechanisms for the cognitive comorbidities of epilepsy and the ictaldisorder itself.
Epilepsy is defined by the occurrence of seizures, but it isa disorder that exists within a wide spectrum of other disorders. Whileseizures often remain the focus of clinical care, the many other cognitive andbehavioral disorders associated with epilepsy may be just as troubling, if notmore so, to the patient and family. A comprehensive and effective approach totreating and managing epilepsy requires a sophisticated appreciation for theintricate relationships between epilepsy and these various other disorders.
This year's symposium will investigate our emerging clinicalunderstanding and the basic neuroscience foundations of these associations.
Learner Outcomes
- Differentiatebetween the impact of epilepsy itself and associated cognitive anddevelopmental comorbidities and direct appropriate intervention
- Assess thepotential causes of comorbidities in patients with epilepsy and developappropriate treatment strategies
- Evaluatepsychiatric disorders which affect people with epilepsy and determine optionsfor treatment
- Recognizethe similar CNS mechanisms for epilepsy and other neuropsychiatric disorderswhen formulating plans for care.
Target Audience
Neurologists, neuropsychologists, psychiatrists,psychologists, social workers, pediatric neurologists, nurses andneuroscientists interested in translational research
Program
Chair: Frances E. Jensen, M.D.
Epilepsy, Cognition and Behavior: The Clinical Picture
Anne T. Berg, Ph.D.
Mechanisms Underlying Cognitive Impairment in Early-life Epilepsies
Amy Brooks-Kayal, M.D.
Epilepsy and Psychiatric Disorders: The Bidirectional Comorbidity
Andres M. Kanner, M.D.
Break 3:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
The Serotonin Axis: Shared Mechanisms in Seizures, Depression and SUDEP
George B. Richerson, M.D., Ph.D.
Epilepsy and Dementia: Converging Mechanisms
Jeffrey L. Noebels, M.D., Ph.D.
Diagnosis and Management of the Non-ictal Components of Epilepsy: Implications From Novel Clinical and Basic Neuroscience
Frances E. Jensen, M.D.