CHICAGO, Ill. ― The American Epilepsy Society (AES) 2023 Annual Meeting in December – the world’s largest annual gathering of epilepsy professionals and community advocates – has returned to pre-pandemic attendance levels with more than 5,950 registered attendees. The annual meeting is a beacon for the medical and scientific community’s ongoing commitment to advancing research and education for preventing, treating, and curing epilepsy.
Featuring the latest in science and education, the meeting draws researchers and clinical professionals from across the globe to learn from each other, share the latest research, and advance the organization's mission. Among the attendees, about one in five (1,194) hailed from outside the United States, traveling from 72 countries.
The meeting covered a wide variety of educational topics, including health equity and treatment disparities, new treatment options for persons living with epilepsy, engagement of early career professionals, advances in basic science research, caring for persons with epilepsy in variety of populations (such as women’s health, pediatrics, aging, etc.), and artificial intelligence and machine learning to help treat patients.
The event’s environment fosters the exchange of the latest insights, helping accelerate advancements in epilepsy care. This integrated approach across various disciplines highlights the full spectrum of epilepsy care.
“The AES Annual Meeting has rebounded resoundingly to pre-pandemic attendance, which is a testament to the meeting’s vital role,” said AES CEO Eileen M. Murray, MM, CAE. “This event’s overarching goal is to bring the entire epilepsy community together to improve the lives of people with the condition.”
In addition to hosting the record-breaking meeting, AES installed a new board of directors, led by President William H. Theodore, M.D., FAES, chief of the clinical epilepsy section at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Dr. Theodore is also a professor of neurology at the F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS).
Other noteworthy meeting highlights:
- 1,538 accepted abstracts/posters
- 164 exhibiting companies occupied 33,100 square feet of space
- Nearly 1,000 students and trainees, including 105 Fellows Program participants supported through grants
Planning for the Dec. 6-10, 2024, meeting in Los Angeles is currently underway.