Between 31 July and 3 August 2025, Campinas hosted the 15th edition of the International School of Neuropathology and Neuroimaging in Epilepsy (INES 2025), an initiative organized by the International Society of Neuropathology (ISN) in partnership with the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE), and supported by CEPID BRAINN. The event aimed to provide advanced training for researchers and healthcare professionals in neuropathology, neuroimaging and neurosurgery applied to the diagnosis and treatment of focal epilepsy.

Program and practical activities

Activities took place at Unicamp’s Casa do Professor Visitante (CPV) and in the Neuroanatomy and Neuroimaging Laboratories, combining theoretical lectures, clinical case discussions and hands‑on sessions. The course brought together participants from a range of countries, including Brazil, Germany, Austria, Mexico, Honduras, Uruguay, Argentina, Peru, Canada, Colombia, India, Venezuela, Chile and the Dominican Republic, reinforcing the international character of the initiative and expanding the network of scientific collaboration among institutions across continents.

The scientific program was structured to cover fundamental concepts and recent advances related to the recognition, classification and characterization of brain lesions associated with focal epilepsy. Activities emphasized the integration of neuropathology, neuroimaging and neurosurgery, enabling participants to appreciate the importance of a multidisciplinary approach for accurate diagnosis and individualized therapeutic planning.

International collaborations

In addition to lectures delivered by specialists from Brazil, Germany and Austria, the course included practical sessions on magnetic resonance imaging interpretation, demonstrations of neuroanatomy applied to surgical access routes and training in the neuropathological assessment of surgical specimens. Macroscopic and microscopic analysis of samples allowed participants to correlate clinical, radiological and histopathological findings, strengthening understanding of the mechanisms involved in epileptogenesis and their relevance for clinical decision‑making.

A highlight was the participation of Prof. Ingmar Blümcke of Friedrich‑Alexander Universität Erlangen‑Nürnberg (Germany), an international authority in epilepsy neuropathology. His presence made a significant contribution to the scientific update of participants and to the reinforcement of international collaborations already established with Unicamp research groups.

After the course concluded, the researcher also delivered the lecture “The genotype‑phenotype association of epilepsy‑associated brain lesions: the 2025 update” at the Hospital de Clínicas of Unicamp to approximately 40 professionals, including physicians, residents and other healthcare staff, thereby extending the reach of the knowledge‑dissemination activities promoted during his visit.

A scientifically and academically impactful event

Compared with previous editions, INES 2025 substantially increased the number of hours devoted to practical activities, especially those related to neuroanatomy demonstrations, surgical approach planning and neuropathological evaluation of surgical specimens. These activities reinforced the importance of integration among different specialties for the diagnosis and treatment of focal epilepsy, and highlighted the role of interdisciplinary communication in the development of translational research.

In this context, the event also helped to showcase internationally the research model developed at Unicamp and CEPID BRAINN, characterized by efficient integration among neuroimaging, neurosurgery, neuropathology, neurogenetics and clinical research. Interaction among faculty, researchers and participants fostered discussion of clinical cases and research projects, promoted exchange of experiences and encouraged the establishment of new scientific collaborations.

The course’s formative impact was widely acknowledged by participants. In anonymous evaluations conducted at the end of the event, many students emphasized the opportunity to learn directly from international experts and the relevance of the content for their academic and professional activities. Reports indicated that the knowledge gained has direct application in research projects and clinical practice, particularly in the areas of imaging diagnostics, neuropathology and surgical treatment of epilepsy. The practical sessions in neuroanatomy and neuroimaging were especially valued by participants, who highlighted the quality of the available infrastructure and the opportunity to correlate theoretical concepts with real‑world situations encountered in care and research.

Results from the satisfaction survey conducted by the ILAE showed a high level of approval for the event, with more than 90% of participants rating the experience as extremely positive and indicating that their expectations were met or exceeded.

Thus, INES 2025 consolidated itself as an important initiative for human resource training, internationalization and dissemination of scientific knowledge, contributing to the capacity building of professionals and researchers from different countries and strengthening the role of CEPID BRAINN and Unicamp as centers of excellence in research, teaching and innovation in the field of epilepsies.

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: fabiorogerio2@gmail.com

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: aruas@unicamp.br