VIREPA - Genetics of Epilepsy - 5th edition
Course content
Genetics has taught us a lot in recent years about the origin and the mechanisms that can lead to epileptic seizures. Three main fields are important when we want to learn about the genetic epilepsies:
(i) the clinical genetics, i.e. the epileptic phenotypes that are associated with specific mutations,
(ii) the genetic defects of the different syndromes themselves, and
(iii) the pathophysiological mechanisms by which these defects can lead to epileptic seizures.
This course gives the participants the opportunity to study all three aspects all the way from basic science to clinical practice.
We have divided the course in 13 sections which deal in the first basic and introductory part with epidemiology, the principles of classical, i.e. Mendelian, and molecular genetics, and finally with the structure and function of ion channels, since most of the genetic defects identified so far affect different types of ionic channels. In the second part, the genetic epilepsies are summarized in different groups and the specific genetic defects, the associated syndromes and their pathophysiology are discussed in detail. In addition, we have dedicated a few chapters to miscellaneous topics which in our opinion are important to deal with patients presenting with genetic epilepsy syndromes, like a separate chapter on ‘phenotyping’, or that affect upcoming and interesting new research areas, such as ‘pharmacogenetics’. We hope by this approach to meet the interests and expectations of both researchers and clinicians who participate in this e-learning course, now in its fifth year.
All chapters are written by clinical specialists or basic scientists whose own research deals with the respective topics. The texts are updated every year so that you will learn about the most recent advances of genetic research.
Learning objectives
The definite objectives of this course are to learn
(i) the basic principles of epidemiology, molecular and clinical genetics, and ion channel gating,
(ii) the specific clinical aspects, genetic defects and possible pathophysiological consequences of the main groups of hereditary epilepsies, and
(iii) about pharmacogenetics.
The participants are asked to reproduce the incorporated knowledge in specific questions and in particular in practical tasks for each topic. The online character with discussion of the results by both the participants among themselves and the tutors contributes to a very active acquisition of knowledge.
Course format
The course itself is divided into 14 units of 2 weeks each, beginning with an introduction to the VIREPA e-learning platform, followed by 13 learning units. The learning material (textbooks and references) is available for download. The first week is usually reserved for reading, asking and discussing questions directly related to the respective topic in the discussion forum of the e-learning platform. The participants are asked to discuss heavily among the group, and the tutors will comment questions and answers afterwards. In addition, the tutors may stimulate this phase by asking questions via the online medium, in particular when there are not enough questions from the participants. In the second week, a task has to be solved and discussed within the group. During this phase, the acquired knowledge has to be used to solve a concrete research or clinical problem or both. You can download a draft version of the time schedule of the course.
The participants are expected to spend about 8 hours (~4 hours/week) for individual study of the learning material, for reading/writing contributions in the forum and for the completion of the tasks.
All tutors are practically working in their special field, moderating the distance courses in addition to their regular duties. This gives participants the unique opportunity to draw upon their expertise and practical experience even beyond the mere requirements of the course.
Entry criteria
We encourage also people with less experience and those with a scientific background, i.e. without clinical experiences, to apply.
However, in case of the participant's wish to have the course accredited for the curriculum on the Certification in Epileptology for Medical Doctors the following requirements are mandatory:
- 3 years of training in neurology, neuropediatrics, clinical neurophysiology, psychiatry or neurosurgery, or combinations of these.
- Minimum of 4 months of EEG training.
Certification
Successful participation in this course is awarded credit points for the elective "Genetics of Epilepsy" of the Certification in Epileptology for Medical Doctors of EUREPA. To pass, participants have to complete the tasks during the e-learning phase, and a series of general questions and diagnostic tasks which will be presented at the end of the course.
Duration
The course will start in the fall of 2009 and last until spring of 2010. The exact dates are still to be announced.
Course fee
1025 Euro/respectively 975 Euro Euro for EUREPA members. A restricted number of bursaries will be available. Full bursaries will only be available for participants living in countries with "low" income. Most bursaries (for participants living in countries with "lower middle income") will be partial bursaries involving own payment of 275 Euro/respectively 225 Euro for EUREPA members. (See categories according to the statistics of the World Bank.)
Number of participants
up to 30
Technical requirements
Personal Computer or Mac (with Internet access)
Operating system: Windows 98 / 2000 / NT / XP, Apple Mac OS X, Linux/Unix
Internet access: Modem, ISDN or DSL (recommended)
Browser: Internet Explorer 5.5 (and higher), Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera, Konqueror
PDF-Reader (e.g. Adobe Acrobat)
Course Director
Prof. Dr. Holger Lerche
Deadline for application
August 30, 2009
Application
For application you have to fill in our online application form and your application must contain
- a signed confirmation of the neurology department on the 4 months of EEG training;
- a signed confirmation of the neurology department on the 3 years of neurological or comparable training
- CV
- list of publications
For further information, please contact
Epilepsy Academy Office
Maraweg 21
D - 33617 Bielefeld
Germany
Tel. +49 521 144 - 4310
Fax +49 521 144 - 4311
Email: office@epilepsy-academy.org
Web: http://www.epilepsy-academy.org
