Advances in the Acute and Chronic Management of Epilepsy

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Most patients with epilepsy in the United States receive some form of therapy, but there are problems with misdiagnosis, under-diagnosis, incorrect choice of therapy, and limited evaluation and treatment of associated complications. Approximately one-third of people with epilepsy continue to experience seizures despite medical treatment. Uncontrolled seizures place the patient at risk for multiple comorbidities and lead to frequent ER visits, hospitalizations, unnecessary therapies and increased mortality. There have been several advances in the management of epilepsy in the last few years. This activity is designed to assist physicians and advanced practice clinicians evaluate the broad and novel range of pharmacological and, in those failing medical treatment, non-pharmacological treatment options available to improve seizure control and quality of life for children and adults with epilepsy.

This activity is designed for physicians in family medicine, internal medicine, neurology, pediatrics, psychiatry and neurosurgery. Advanced practice providers, residents, fellows, medical and PA students and nurses are also encouraged to attend.

Upon completion of the activity, participants should be able to:

• Differentiate the treatment approaches between children and adults with epilepsy.
• Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of newer antiseizure medications.
• Identify the types and outcomes of epilepsy surgery.
• Assess the role of seizure detection and neurostimulation devices.
• Describe the neuropsychological impact of epilepsy on patients and caregivers.

• 7:15 a.m. | Check-in/Visit Virtual Exhibits
• 7:25 a.m. | Welcome/Opening Remarks
• 7:30 a.m. | Diagnosed with Epilepsy? Ways to Achieve Seizure Control
  Vinita Acharya, MD, FANA, FAES

  Objectives

  • Describe available treatment options for epilepsy.
  • Select the appropriate option in different situations.
• 8 a.m. | Novel Treatments for Pediatric Epilepsy
  Sunil Naik, MD

  Objectives

  • Discuss prevalence, common causes of seizures and epilepsy syndromes in infants and children.
  • Discuss concept of intractable epilepsy and common and novel modalities investigations and treatment in children.
• 8:30 a.m. | The Neuropsychology of Epilepsy across the Lifespan
  Claire V. Flaherty, PhD, MS, ABN

  Objectives

  • Distinguish the cognitive, emotional and psychosocial impact of seizure conditions.
  • Appreciate the benefit of multidisciplinary care in childhood, adulthood and aging.
• 9 a.m. | Break/Visit Virtual Exhibits
• 9:15 a.m. | New Anti-Seizure Medicines for Acute and Chronic Treatment of Epilepsy
  Alain Lekoubou, MD, MS

  Objectives

  • Identify at least one new antiseizure drug for acute management and one new antiseizure drug for chronic management of epilepsy.
  • Recognize the clinical indications and frequent side effects of at least one new antiseizure drug for acute management and one new antiseizure drug for chronic management of epilepsy.
• 9:45 a.m. | Medical Marijuana, Cannabinoids, and Epilepsy
  William H. Trescher, MD

  Objectives

  • Distinguish between artisanal cannabis and FDA approved cannabidiol.
  • Describe the research support for cannabidiol in the treatment of epilepsy.
• 10:15 a.m. | Surgical Treatment of Epilepsy
  Michael D. Sather, MD, FAANS

  Objectives

  • Describe the different types of surgeries used for the treatment of epilepsy.
  • Compare the outcomes from different surgical procedures.
• 10:45 a.m. | Break/Visit Virtual Exhibits
• 11 a.m. | Invasive Neurostimulation Devices: What are the Options and Outcomes?
  Tiffany L. Fisher, MD, PhD

  Objectives

  • Discuss the available invasive neurostimulation devices that treat epilepsy.
  • Discuss the requirements, differences and benefits amongst the invasive neurostimulation devices for epilepsy.
• 11:30 a.m. | Wearable Devices for Epilepsy: Handy but are They Ready for Prime Time?
  Jayant N. Acharya, MD, DM, FAES, FACNS, FAAN, FANA

  Objectives

  • Describe wearable devices currently available for seizure detection.
  • Discuss the benefits and limitations of wearable devices for epilepsy.
• Noon | Adjournment

Jayant N. Acharya, MD, DM, FAES, FACNS, FAAN, FANA
Professor of Neurology
Chief, Division of Epilepsy
Penn State College of Medicine/Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Director, EEG Lab
Director, Epilepsy Monitoring Unit

Vinita Acharya, MD, FANA, FAES
Associate Professor of Neurology
Division of Epilepsy
Penn State College of Medicine/Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Tiffany L. Fisher, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor
Division of Epilepsy
Penn State College of Medicine/Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Jennifer S. Patton
Project Specialist and Administrative Coordinator
Department of Neurology
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Brian J. Spector, MPA
Director of Operations
Neurology
Penn State Neuroscience Institute
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Jayant N. Acharya, MD, DM, FAES, FACNS, FAAN, FANA
Professor of Neurology
Chief, Division of Epilepsy
Penn State College of Medicine/Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Director, EEG Lab

Vinita Acharya, MD, FANA, FAES
Associate Professor of Neurology
Division of Epilepsy
Penn State College of Medicine/Penn State Health Milton S Hershey Medical Center

Tiffany L. Fisher, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor
Division of Epilepsy
Penn State College of Medicine/Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Claire V. Flaherty, PhD, MS, ABN
Associate Professor
Clinical Neuropsychology
Penn State College of Medicine/Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Alain Lekoubou, MD, MS
Assistant Professor of Neurology and Public Health Sciences
Division of Epilepsy
Penn State College of Medicine

Sunil Naik, MD
Assistant Professor
Director, Pediatric Epilepsy
Director, Ketogenic Diet Clinic for Intractable Epilepsy
Pediatric Neurology
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Michael D. Sather, MD, FAANS
Associate Professor of Neurosurgery
Chief, Division of Neuromodulation
Surgical Director of Epilepsy Center

William H. Trescher, MD
Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Division of Neurology
Penn State College of Medicine/Penn State Health Children’s Hospital

AMA

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Penn State College of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 4 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s). Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Fee is $45 per person and includes cost of instruction and online handout materials.
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