Meriem K. Bensalem Owen, MD, Course Director
Assistant Professor, Neurology
University of Kentucky College of Medicine

Mary Doyle
Spouse of a Person with Epilepsy
Lexington, Kentucky

Jonathon Lifshitz, PhD
Assistant Professor, Anatomy and Neurobiology
Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center
University of Kentucky
            
Kevin Moore, BA
Operations Manager, EPIC
Skill Enhancement and Employment Center (SEEC) A Division of Opportunity for Work and Learning (OWL)
Lexington, Kentucky

Robert D. Owen, MD
Assistant Professor, Neurology
Pediatric Neurosurgeon
University of Kentucky College of Medicine

L. Creed Pettigrew, MD
Professor, Neurology
University of Kentucky College of Medicine

Melody Ryan, PharmD
Associate Professor, Pharmacy Practice and Science
University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy
Associate Professor, Neurology
University of Kentucky College of Medicine

Randal Schleenbaker, MD
Medical Director
VISN 9 Polytrauma System of Care
VAMC
Lexington, Kentucky

John T. Slevin, MD
Professor, Neurology
University of Kentucky College of Medicine

Laureen Vassil, RN
Kentucky Children's Hospital
Parent of a Child with Epilepsy
Lexington, Kentucky

David Wittmer
Business Owner
Lexington, Kentucky

The 2008 Epilepsy Brainstorm Summit will be of special benefit to medical professionals, both physicians and non-physicians, in Kentucky and southern Indiana. Out of a population of more than 4,000,000 residents, it has been estimated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) that a minimum of 2.2% of Kentucky’s population, or 90,000 individuals, have been diagnosed with epilepsy. Considering the random data collection methods by the BRFSS, epilepsy experts at the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville’s Departments of Neurology postulate that the occurrence of epilepsy among Kentucky’s residents is actually a much greater number. These experts estimate that the approximate number of individuals that have epilepsy in Kentucky is actually closer to 180,000, an occurrence 4 – 5 times greater than the national average of 1%.

Statistics regarding TBI are also alarming. According to the CDC, it is estimated that 1.5 million Americans sustain a TBI, each year, and that an estimated 5.3 million individuals live with permanent disabilities as a result of their injuries. Furthermore, it has been reported that one in five families in Kentucky have at least one family member with a brain injury, indicating that approximately 5.3% of Kentucky’s residents have sustained a TBI. This data is disturbing considering that trauma to the brain, whether mild or severe, is a clearly defined risk for epilepsy, with studies suggesting TBI causes epilepsy in up to 30% of civilian and 50% of military head injuries.

The current epilepsy and TBI statistics indicate a great need for continuing medical education programs in Kentucky and southern Indiana regarding the treatment of patients with TBI and epilepsy. Unfortunately, a future decrease in the rates of TBI and epilepsy do not seem likely as United States troops return from the Afghanistan and Iraq. In 2003, data from the Walter Reed Army Medical Center found evidence of brain injury in 61% of returning soldiers who had been exposed to blasts. In today’s battlefields, the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) has made TBI a major concern. According to the Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA), hundreds of thousands (at least 30% of troops engaged in active combat in Afghanistan and Iraq for four months or more) have suffered a TBI as a result of IED blast waves.

Since October 2001, approximately 1.64 million US troops have been deployed for Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom in Afghanistan and Iraq. Considering this large number of troops deployed, even the most conservative statistics predict a potential wave of epilepsy to sweep the nation as these soldiers return home. The problems related to TBI and epilepsy will not only affect the soldiers, but also society at large, for generations to come. Kentucky’s already elevated statistics are expected to increase rapidly and in preparation of this phenomenon, medical professionals must receive further information about TBI and epilepsy to properly diagnose and treat these patients. A program such as the 2008 Epilepsy Brainstorm Summit will increase awareness of the current and growing crises created by the increasing number of individuals with TBI and epilepsy, and will educate medical professionals in Kentucky and southern Indiana in properly recognizing, diagnosing, and treating patients with these disorders.

Upon completion of this educational activity, participants will be able to:

• Review basic information regarding the diagnosis of epilepsy and seizures
• Identify the pathophysiology and prevention of TBI and epilepsy
• Examine non-pharmacological treatments for the management of TBI and epilepsy
• Assess pharmacological side effects of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) and define symptoms that may indicate patient toxicity during treatment with these pharmaceuticals
• Describe the expected drastic increase in the rate of occurrence of TBI and epilepsy in the near future among veterans of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom in Afghanistan and Iraq

Medicine
The University of Kentucky College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 3.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Each physician should claim only those hours of credit actually spent in the educational activity.

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine presents this activity for educational purposes only. Participants are expected to utilize their own expertise and judgment while engaged in the practice of medicine. The content of the presentations is provided solely by presenters who have been selected for presentations because of recognized expertise in their field.

Pharmacy

 
The University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy is approved by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.

This program has been assigned ACPE #022-999-08-156-L01-P and will award up to 3.75 contact hours (0.375 CEUs) of continuing pharmacy education credit in states that recognize ACPE providers.

Statements of credit will indicate hours and CEUs based on participation and will be issued online at the conclusion of the activity. Successful completion includes signing in at registration, attending the entire session for which credit is claimed, completing the activity evaluation and requesting credit online at conclusion of the activity. The College complies with the Criteria for Quality for continuing education programming.

Nursing
The University of Kentucky, College of Nursing is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation (ANCC).

The Kentucky Board of Nursing (KBN) approves The University of Kentucky, College of Nursing (UKCON) as a provider as well. ANCC and KBN approval of a continuing nursing education provider does not constitute endorsement of program content nor commercial sponsors. This educational activity is offered for a maximum of 3.75 ANCC and 4.5 KBN contact hours for nurses who complete the entire program. Provider #:3-0008-01-13-102. A certificate will be issued to participants who attend all sessions and complete all of this activity.

Occupational Therapy
This activity is approved by the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Occupational Therapy. OTs attending must sign-in at registration, attend all sessions and obtain a Certificate of Attendance online following the activity.