Epilepsy Sparks Insights

Join Us at the Epilepsy Specialist Nursing Section - IEC 2025! - Patty Shafer & Ludivine Rohrer

We hear about the upcoming International Epilepsy Conference (IEC) 2025 in Lisbon - with global lead Epilepsy Specialist Nurses Patty Shafer and Ludivine Rohrer! They talk about the Epilepsy Nursing Section at the conference and why people should attend! Each share how they address the emotional and behavioural aspects of epilepsy and even things like physical exercise! They chat about the significance of empowering nurses, sharing knowledge, and addressing often embarrassing topics related to epilepsy. They emphasise the social aspects of living with epilepsy and the importance of education for both patients and families.
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🔗 Website & more about Patty and Ludivine: 👇🏻
https://www.torierobinson.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/patty-shafer-ludivine-rohrer-iec-2025-lisbon-epilepsy-nursing-section
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Don’t understand all the terms used? Check out the Epilepsy Sparks Glossary! 👇🏻 https://www.epilepsysparks.com/glossary 
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🔗 Register for the Nursing Symposium 👇🏻
https://www.ilae.org/congresses/36th-international-epilepsy-congress/section/sectionid/1 
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Why We Need Epilepsy Nurses! - Ludivine Rohrer & Patty Shafer

Epilepsy specialist nurses (ESNs) play a multifaceted role…! Hear all about it from ESN’s Ludivine Rohrer and Patty Shafer who share their responsibilities in patient care, education, and psychosocial support. They also provide insights into the challenges faced by patients and families trying to manage an epilepsy (including all symptoms and morbidities) and emphasise the importance of personalised care for everyone.
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🔗 Website & more about Patty & Ludivine: 👇🏻
https://www.torierobinson.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/patty-ludivine-ludivine-rohrer-being-epilepsy-nurse 
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Don’t understand all the terms used? Check out the Epilepsy Sparks Glossary! 👇🏻 https://www.epilepsysparks.com/glossary 
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What is “Consciousness” When It Comes To Seizures?!- Dr. Kaley Marcinski Nascimento

What is consciousness?! Paediatric resident Dr. Kayleigh Marcinski Nascimento invites you to take part in a new study aimed at understanding the terminology surrounding “consciousness” during focal  (formerly known as partial) seizures; emphasising the need for clear communication between clinicians and caregivers! The chat also covers the importance of diverse input in research and how the data collected will be used to improve patient care.
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🔗 Link to study - take part! 👇🏻
www.surveymonkey.com/r/epilepsytalk 
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🔗 Website & more about Kaley Marcinski Nascimento: 👇🏻
www.torierobinson.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/kaley-marcinski-nascimento-consciousness 
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Don’t understand all the terms used? Check out the Epilepsy Sparks Glossary! 👇🏻
www.epilepsysparks.com/glossary 
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Zebrafish - Breakthroughs In Epilepsy Drug Discovery?! - Prof. Deborah Kurrasch

Neuroscientist Deborah Kurrasch talks about her cool research into the epilepsies using zebrafish! She explains the challenges faced in acceptance of using zebrafish as a model system for epilepsy research and shares how we need to explore new mechanisms of action if we are going to figure out how to help the remaining 30% of people who cannot (yet!) have their seizures controlled using anti-seizure medications!
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🔗 Website & more about Deborah: 👇🏻
https://torierobinson.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/deborah-kurrasch-zebra-fish-dee-pharma 
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Don’t understand all the terms used? Check out the Epilepsy Sparks Glossary! 👇🏻 https://www.epilepsysparks.com/glossary 
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Epilepsy Awareness & Advocacy in Zambia! - Dr Naluca Mwendaweli-Beckford

Adult Neurologist Naluca Mwendawe-Beckford chats about her work in Zambia, focusing on the challenges of treating epilepsy in a low-resource setting. She highlights the limited access to diagnostic tools and medications, the roles of neurologists and traditional healers (and how they can work together!), and the importance of education and awareness in combating stigma. Naluca also shares her plans for an epilepsy registry and the need for policy advocacy to improve care for individuals with epilepsy in Zambia.
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🔗 Website & more about Naluca: 👇🏻
https://www.torierobinson.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/naluca-beckford-epilepsy-awareness-zambia
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Don’t understand all the terms used? Check out the Epilepsy Sparks Glossary! 👇🏻 https://www.epilepsysparks.com/glossary 
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📲 Join us on social media!
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Your Brain: Mossy Cells and the Fight Against Epilepsy - Prof Helen Scharfman

Helen Scharfman, a professor at NYU and a research scientist, discusses her extensive research on the epilepsies; particularly focusing on mossy cells in the temporal lobe! She explains the significance of these cells in understanding seizures and anxiety, and the potential for future treatments/preventions! Helen emphasises the importance of patient involvement in research and the international, collaborative nature of scientific discovery!
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🔗 Website & more about Helen: 👇🏻
https://torierobinson.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/helen-scharfman-mossy-cells-international-research 
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Don’t understand all the terms used? Check out the Epilepsy Sparks Glossary! 👇🏻 https://www.epilepsysparks.com/glossary 
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📲 Join us on social media!
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Revolutionising Epilepsy Perceptions & Care in Pakistan - Dr. Zarine Mogal

Epileptologist Zarine Mogal has changed the world for many affected by the epilepsies in Pakistan! She shares her incredibly impactful 3 decades in diagnoses, care, and social acceptance - through her comprehensive epilepsy program. Zarine highlights the importance of sustained epilepsy awareness with insights on measuring the impact of campaigns, the challenges faced in healthcare, and the future directions for improving epilepsy care in Pakistan. 
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🔗 Website & more about Zarine: 👇🏻
https://www.torierobinson.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/zarine-mogal-epilepsy-pakistan-stigma-treatment-gap 
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Don’t understand all the terms used? Check out the Epilepsy Sparks Glossary! 👇🏻 https://www.epilepsysparks.com/glossary 
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📲 Join us on social media!
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Advancing Mental Health Research Through GALENOS - Prof Andrea Cipriani

Psychiatrist Andrea Cipriani discusses his work in clinical psychiatry and research, focusing on mood disorders and the importance of personalised treatment! He highlights the GALENOS project, which aims to synthesise existing data to improve mental health outcomes, and chats about the need for a shift from a medication-centered approach to one that prioritises quality of life and community care. Andrea also advocates for collaboration between clinicians and community support systems to enhance patient care and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health treatment.
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🔗 Website & more about Andrea: 👇🏻
https://www.torierobinson.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/andrea-cipriani-galenos-mental–health-research-outcomes-psychiatry 
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Don’t understand all the terms used? Check out the Epilepsy Sparks Glossary! 👇🏻 https://www.epilepsysparks.com/glossary 
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📲 Join us on social media!
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Epilepsy & Suicide: Breaking The Silence - Prof Andrea Cipriani

Sometimes people with an epilepsy take their own lives - and this is more common that many realise. Psychiatrist & researcher Prof. Andrea Cipriani joins Torie to talk of the psychiatric symptoms of the epilepsies, including depression, anxiety, psychosis, and even suicide; expressing the need for joined-up care between neurology and psychiatry, and why lived experience must shape treatment, management, and where possible; prevention. It’s a powerful call for holistic, person-centred support!
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🔗 Website & more about Andrea: 👇🏻
https://www.torierobinson.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/andrea-cipriani-suicide-lived-experience-biopsychosocial-model-care
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Don’t understand all the terms used? Check out the Epilepsy Sparks Glossary! 👇🏻 https://www.epilepsysparks.com/glossary 
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📲 Join us on social media!
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Decoding Genetic Epilepsy - Sam Berkovic

Genetic epilepsies are way more complex than we thought!! Clinical neurologist and physician-scientist Prof. Sam Berkovic chats with Torie all about the differences between inherited, de novo, and somatic forms, challenges in diagnoses, impacts on families, and societal stigma. However, Sam also shares the exciting, positive advancements in genetic research, how understandings have far, far improved over the past few years, and how cool, effective international collaboration in research has led to and shall lead to further advancements in precision medicine!
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🔗 Website & more about Sam: 👇🏻
https://www.torierobinson.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/sam-berkovic-genetic-epilepsy-developments 
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Don’t understand all the terms used? Check out the Epilepsy Sparks Glossary! 👇🏻 https://www.epilepsysparks.com/glossary 
------------------------------------------
📲 Join us on social media!
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