Biography:

Jayachandran Divakaran has completed his  MA (Soc.), MA(Psy.), MSW and PhD in Behavioral Sciences (MG University). He was retired (2017) from SCTIMST,  At present he is Chief Consultant (Psychology), Heaven Tree PSF, Trivandrum.  He is PG/PhD Faculty/Research Guide in Social and Behavoral Sciences. He has published many  papers in reputed Journals like Epilepsia, Epilepsy Research, Journal for Alternative and Complemntary Medicine, Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology, Loyola Journal of Social Sciences and has been serving as editorial board member of Scientific publications. He is founder Secretary, GC Member/Webmaster, Indian Epilepsy Association and was Faculty/Chairperson for many conferences including ECON-2019.

Abstract:

Background:. The psycho-social implications of epilepsy are more disabling than the seizures. Psycho-education as a novel approach for patients with epilepsy and their family members has been in practice in the RMNCEC, Department of Neurology,SCTIMST for the past 20 years. Pranayama-meditation has also been practiced in this center for the past 7 years with proven efficacy in controlling seizures. (Rajesh, Jayachandran et al(2006, JACM). Design: The study followed a prospective, randomized experimental research design involving two experimental groups (Psycho-education and Pranayama-Meditation) and a common control group.  Tools used: Eight standardized scales/inventories were used to assess the efficacy of both the interventions.  Subjects for Experimental Study: Thirty six patients (20 males and 16 females), age range 16-35 years with an established diagnosis of epilepsy with at least two seizures during the past one year.  Interventions: 1. Psycho-education for  patients with epilepsy and their family members. 2. Pranayama - Meditation) for 20 minutes twice daily (morning and evening).  Results: Out of the 28 dependent psycho-social variables tested with different scales/inventories there were statistically significant positive changes in more than half of the variables either in ANOVA or ANCOVA or in both in the psycho-education group. Two variables (Trait and Total Anxiety) recorded significant changes in meditation group, which is another major finding of the study. Conclusion: The study revealed efficacy of both intervention techniques, but psycho-education was found to be more effective than pranayama-meditation in improving psycho-social status and QOL of patients with epilepsy. 

Biography:

Mr. Damodar Rao has management background and postgraduate in Diploma in Epilepsy care is also a counsellor.  He is actively involved in social aspects of epilepsy since many decades.  .  Dr R P Joshi is a clinician with post graduate qualification.  He has special interest in social aspects of epilepsy and improving epilepsy care. 

Abstract:

BACKGROUND :  Epilepsy can be well controlled with presently available medicines in 75 – 80%.  However the person with epilepsy and the family suffer from the consequences of myths and misunderstanding prevalent in society. The awareness about social aspects of epilepsy is lacking in the society including  students.  Hence there is a need for this type of project specifically prepared for high school students

AIMS &  OBJECTIVES -  To address this situation a  project was under taken to educate high school students – future citizens of India – to dispel myths ,wrongly attributed to epilepsy.

METHODS:  The multimedia slides were developed by Mr Damodar Rao  and Dr R P Joshi custom made for students to make the topic  interesting and useful.  Slides have been developed in regional language also.  The talk was  in two parts – first part is  about socio scientific aspects by Dr Joshi followed by the role of Indian Epilepsy Association, Bangalore chapter and its various activities in  this regard  by Mr Damodar Rao. Adequate time is given for interaction in each session

RESULTS:  120  schools were covered over five year period ,spread across Karnataka state in India, addressing a total of  9500 students.  The response and interaction are discussed.

CONCLUSIONS :  The members  from  IEA B’lore chapter conceptualised multimedia awareness program, custom made for high school students of different classes.  This activity  is being presented, as it is useful, easily implementable and replicable across the world.  Awareness goes a long way in epilepsy care.

Biography:

Naoto Hoshi has completed his MD/PhD at Kanazawa Unviersity (Japan) and became a junior faculty there. He moved to the lab of Dr. John D. Scott, (Howard Hughes Medical Institute/Oregon Health Sciences University at the time). He now is in University of California, Irvine. His primary interest is physiological and pathological relevance of neuronal K7.2 channel modulation.

Abstract:

We recently found that valproic acid suppresses palmitoylation of neural proteins including AKAP5 (AKAP79/150). Reduced AKAP5 palmitoylation disrupted regulation of the M-current, which is generated by neural Kv7 channel family. Various neurotransmitters that activate Gq-coupled receptors suppress M-current and increase neuronal excitability. We show that palmitoylation is required for receptor-induced M-current supprssion. Similar disruption of M-current suppression was observed by inhibition of acyl-CoA synthetase. These results might fill in a gap between lipid metabolism and its anticonvalsant action.

Biography:

Ahmad Marashly is a professor at Louisiana Tech University. He has published a translated book about cancer prevention (Dietary Factors and Pharmacology). He is a member of Medical Education, IFMSA, Iran-Tums; Student’s Scientific Research Center (SSRC) and Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN).

Abstract:

Epilepsy is a group of neurological disorders in which neurons��? signaling is corrupted. This condition characterized by a longterm risk of recurrent seizures and affects up to 1% of the general population. There are various genetic and environmental factors such as neuromuscular disorders, brain injury and abnormal brain development that resulted in epilepsy. More than 20 single gene syndromes and conditions whose main feature is epilepsy, or at least epilepsy is one of the significant manifestation, have been described. These neonatal or childhood syndromes manifest neurodegenerative lesions and majority of them shows autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. These syndromes are: Autosomal dominant partial epilepsy with variable foci, autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy, benign familial neonatal convulsions, benign infantile familial convulsions, familial temporal lobe epilepsy, generalized epilepsy with febrile seizures plus, progressive myoclonic epilepsies (PMEs)-group of progressive neurological deterioration together with myoclonus and epilepsy autosomal recessive disorders-, neurofibromatosis 1 (NF-1) as a result of neuronal migration abnormalities in which approximately up to 13% of patients -1 develop epilepsy, tuberous sclerosis a complex disorder in which about 80% of affected manifest epilepsy, X-linked fragile X syndrome which develop mental retardation in affected male and up to 40% of patents develop epilepsy, X-linked dominant Rett syndrome a neurodevelopmental disorder in which about 70% to 80% of cases develop epilepsy, leukodystrophies, acute intermittent porphyria, inherited metabolic conditions like mucopolysaccharidoses. All of the aforementioned conditions show epilepsy as one their symptom but their differences are specific manifestations and age of onset. Understanding and distinguish each condition leads to appropriate management, diagnosis and therapy.