Curing the Epilepsies 2026: New Horizons

This two-and-a-half-day conference aims to bring together all stakeholders within the epilepsy research community and will serve as a critical forum to assess recent advances in basic, translational, and clinical science; identify persistent and emerging gaps in knowledge; and explore high-impact opportunities to accelerate progress across the epilepsy spectrum. As with earlier Curing the Epilepsies conferences, the Epilepsy Benchmark Stewards Committee, coordinated by the American Epilepsy Society, will revise the Epilepsy Research Benchmarks, reflecting recent advances and stakeholder input. These reevaluated Benchmarks are intended to anchor research over the next 5-7 years in the issues that are key to understanding the epilepsies and improving meaningful outcomes for people with epilepsy through research. Participants will be encouraged to articulate transformative research priorities aimed at four overarching goals: Achieving cures for all forms of epilepsy with no disabling side effects; Mitigating or eliminating the often-overlooked comorbidities that compromise quality of life; Developing strategies to prevent epilepsy in individuals at risk due to genetic, structural, or acquired factors; Fostering collaboration among scientists, clinicians, people living with epilepsy, and advocacy communities.