Andres Kanner

University of Miami – Miami, USA.

Department of Neurology – Epilepsy Division.

LECTURE: Epilepsies, Autistic and Mood Disorders as Complex Networks Diseases.

Epilepsy is a neurologic condition which often occurs with other neurologic and psychiatric disorders. The relationship between epilepsy and these conditions is complex. Some population-based studies have identified a bidirectional relationship, whereby not only patients with epilepsy are at increased risk of suffering from some of these neurologic and psychiatric disorders (migraine, stroke, dementia, autism, depression, anxiety disorders, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and psychosis), but also patients with these conditions are at increased risk of suffering from epilepsy.

The existence of common pathogenic mechanisms has been postulated as a potential explanation of this phenomenon. Andrés Kanner , will discuss data from several studies, as well as different hypotheses proposing that psychiatric disorders worsen the course and/or severity of an epileptic disorder and also he will suggest research strategies to test these hipotheses.