The international classification of epilepsies recognizes a large spectrum of substrates as potential predictors of disease progression and treatment response. Reliable neuropathological and neuroimaging work-up of epilepsy-associated brain lesions represents thus an important diagnostic value for the successful management of patients with focal epilepsy. The 15th International Summer School for Neuropathology and Neuroimaging in Epilepsy will specifically address the issue to enable participants to better recognize and classify various brain lesions. We will offer an integrated approach to combine neuropathology and neuroimaging skills and knowledge. The workshop has been held previously in Germany, Brazil, USA and China with a focus on histopathology and the endorsement of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE). Advanced hands-on histopathology training will still be offered in small groups led by distinguished tutors but also includes hands-on skills on reformatting brain MR images. We will offer all participants use cases to further develop their skills and help integrating knowledge of histology and imaging related to the diagnosis and treatment of human focal epilepsies.

Check the event @ILAE website

 

 

Download the Program for more information

 

Details about the event

The 15th edition of the INES course – International School of Neuropathology and Neuroimaging in Epilepsy – will take place from July 31 to August 3, 2025. The course is organized by Professors Fernando Cendes and Fabio Rogério (Faculty of Medical Sciences, UNICAMP) and Ingmar Blümcke (Friedrich–Alexander University Erlangen–Nürnberg, University Hospital Erlangen, Germany), with support from FAPESP, the ILAE (International League Against Epilepsy), and the ISN (International Society of Neuropathology).

In addition to Brazilian professionals, the course will feature neuropathologists, neurologists, neurosurgeons, and neuroscience researchers from a range of countries, including Colombia, India, Argentina, Venezuela, Mexico, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, Chile, Bolivia, Canada, Peru, Ecuador, Austria, and Germany. This international diversity highlights the event’s interdisciplinary and collaborative nature, promoting the dissemination of knowledge, exchange of experiences, and the building of collaborative networks among specialists from around the world.

The course’s primary objective is to train participants to recognize, more accurately classify, and research different types of brain lesions associated with epilepsy. To achieve this, an integrated approach will combine expertise in neuropathology and neuroimaging with molecular investigation techniques for brain tissue. Advanced hands-on training in histopathology will be conducted in small groups under the guidance of renowned tutors, while the neuroimaging segment will include practical exercises on reformatting brain MRI images. Case studies will further allow attendees to deepen their skills and integrate histological and imaging insights, focusing on the diagnosis, treatment, and research of human focal epilepsies.

 

Course Directors

Fabio Rogerio, Fernando Cendes & Ingmar Blümcke

 

Target Audience

• Neuro-/Pathologists,
• Neuroimager,
• Epileptologists,
• Neurosurgeons,
• Neurologists,
• Basic Researcher at all levels of professional expertise

 

Preliminary Program

Thursday (31st): 12.00h – 17.00h

• Lecture: Neuroanatomy of sulci and gyri and of the temporal lobe (Enrico Ghizoni)

• Brain dissection for pathologists (Ghizoni, Giglio, Tedeschi, Rampp)

• Basic pathology training for non-pathologists Blümcke, Rogerio, Coras)

• Lecture: Principles in clinical EEG-imaging investigation (Stefan Rampp)

• Lecture: Focal Cortical Dysplasia (Ingmar Blümcke)

 

Friday (1st): 9.00h – 18.00h

• Lecture: Hipocampal sclerosis (Roland Coras)

• Lecture: Epilepsy-associated brain tumours (Ingmar Blümcke)

• Lecture: Epilepsy genetics (Iscia Lopes-Cendes)

• Basic neuroimaging training with faculty

• • for pathologists (Cendes, Alvim)

• • for non-pathologists (Rampp, Yasuda)

• Case preparation in groups with faculty

• • for pathologists (Blümcke, Cendes, Rogerio, Alvim)

• • for non-pathologists (Rampp, Ghizoni, Coras, Yasuda)

 

Saturday (2nd): 9.00h – 18.00h

• Lecture: Brain organoids as a model for epilepsy research(Simoni Avansini)

• Case review in groups with faculty

• • for pathologists (Blümcke, Cendes, Rogerio, Alvim)

• • for non-pathologists (Rampp, Ghizoni, Coras, Yasuda)

• Case presentation and discussion with alignment of histology and imaging for entire group and faculty

 

Sunday (3rd): 9.30h – 14.00h

• Case presentations and discussion with faculty (Cases presented by students supported with bursaries)

• Final group discussion all faculty and participants

• Certificates and Farewell

 

Registration

Please register in advance as room will be limited. No on-site registration available.

To be considered, applications must be received by March 31st, 2025. We urge that you apply as soon as possible to reserve your spot and avoid disappointment.

Applications should include a brief description of your current clinical practice and experience in the field of neuropathology and/or epileptology and neuroimaging, together with a short CV (in English or Portuguese).

Please indicate your preferred assignment to group work for (A) Neuropathology or (B) Neuroimaging.

Please send your application by email to: [email protected]

Successful participants will be informed no later than 20 workings days from the application deadline, and will receive all further instructions regarding payment and full registration.

Registration fee:

US$ 350.00 (non-Brazilians)* or R$ 2.000,00 (Brazilians)*.

* This fee covers lunch and beverages from THU-SUN, a welcome reception and social dinner. Registration fees exclude accommodation, airfares and other travel to Campinas. Travel bursaries from ILAE or ISN are available to participants from low- or middle-income countries. Please contact us for further information

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT

INES 2025 Secretariat: Ms Andréa Ismara de Araújo Ruas, e-mail: [email protected]

Check the event @ILAE website