Scientific Advisors:
Eva Andermann (Chair) – Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal
Giuliano Avanzini – Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Neurologico “C.Besta”, Milan
Pierre Genton – Hôpital Henri Gastaut – Centre Saint Paul, Marseille
Berge Minassian – The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto

The consortium:
The first comprehensive meeting on PME’s was held in Marseille in June 1989 in the pre-molecular era. Since then, several new disorders have been included in the list of PME’s, and approximately thirty genes have been identified. Accurate diagnosis of the specific forms of PME, however, remains a challenge. Recent recognition of anti-myoclonic properties of some anticonvulsants may lead to symptomatic improvement in patients with PME’s.

This meeting aims to update the definition and classification of the progressive myoclonus epilepsies, and to discuss diagnostic guidelines and genetic counseling. The purpose is to characterize the clinical features and the neuropathological, neuropsychological, neurophysiological and imaging findings for each disease and to correlate them with the specific molecular findings, i.e. genotype-phenotype correlations. It also aims to review the geographic and ethnic distributions of the various PME’s, to correlate these with the molecular findings, to outline the mechanisms responsible for epileptogenesis and for neuronal degeneration in the various PME’s and to determine common pathophysiological mechanisms, in both patients and animal models. In addition, it will review current symptomatic treatments as well as newer treatments based on specific molecular findings and disease mechanisms.

The event will be of particular interest for neurologists, child neurologists,epileptologists, neurophysiologists, neuroradiologists, (neuro)geneticists,molecular geneticists, and other physicians and basic scientists interested in the PME’s.

INFORMATION, PROGRAM and ENROLMENT are online at www.fondazione-mariani.org
POSTER submission deadline: March 15, 2010
VIDEOS entries are also accepted
Deadline for early registration: March 15, 2010
FOR FURTHER QUESTIONS: mailto:pme2010@fondazione-mariani.org
Scientific Secretariat: Anna Jansen – Brussel, mailto:anna.jansen@uzbrussel.be