It is our great pleasure to invite you to participate in the Epilepsy and Headache Teaching Course, which is scheduled to take place in Kazimierz Dolny, a centre of historical importance Course with picturesque medieval houses, wonderful architecture and kind climate.

International Epilepsy and Headache Teaching Course in Kazimierz is being organised under the auspices of the International Danube Symposium for Neurological Sciences and Continuing Education. The conference also relates to traditional meetings organised as „Clinical, neurochemical and pharmacological aspects of epilepsy” held every 3 years in Kazimierz.

The scientific programme focuses on the newest aspects of epilepsy and migraine. The main objective of the teaching course is to present and discuss the most recent advances in pathogenesis and biochemistry of epilepsy. The modern genetical, electrophysiological and neuroimaging techniques in the diagnosis of epilepsy will be also presented.

The particular emphasis among other topics will be put on the development and localisation of epileptic focus and probable triggering mechanisms in the production of seizures.

The important issue is always the management of epilepsy patients with regard to not only pharmacological but also surgical treatment. The introduction of new generation antiepileptic drugs extensively improved the efficacy of pharmacological treatment. However, it is essential to know the mechanisms of action and possible interactions between drugs in order to reach the maximum of the efficacy and at the same time, safety.

The equally important remains the issue of drug resistant epilepsy. The need for better and uniform definition with modern patterns of management including relatively early decision on surgical treatment are the most appealing problems in epileptology. The interesting alternative would be the more common usage of ketogenic diet, which will be also addressed during the conference.

The second part of the Teaching Course will be dedicated to the modern diagnostics and management of migraine and other primary headaches. Headache is a major complain in the large percentage of population especially among the young. The importance of this problem relates to the difficulty in the proper diagnosis and the possible health threatening consequences in cases where the correct diagnosis fails. The success of the quick diagnosis and effective treatment is dependent of profound knowledge of the newest diagnostic methods and techniques helping to differentiate the headaches.

The highest educative and scientific level of this conference is guaranteed by the attendance of many internationally recognised experts and scientists from the country and abroad.

The Organising Committee hopes that this meeting will be equally successful event as it happened previously and it will be an unique opportunity for participants to learn the most recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment practised in the best neurological centers in the world. This will also be an excellent occasion for neurologists and neuropharmacologists to exchange their opinions and experiences while for neurology trainees and young neurologists to enjoy and appreciate the high level of lectures and presentations.

The scientific content of the conference will be published in “Neurologia i Psychiatria” journal.

Chairman of Organizing Committee

Prof. Zbigniew Stelmasiak