Epilepsy research up close

The Swiss Epilepsy Research Network (SERENE) is introducing itself to the public: on 21 November 2025, the Swiss Epilepsy League is hosting the first SERENE Epilepsy Research Symposium in Bern.

Swiss epilepsy researchers have attracted considerable international attention this year: the world-renowned Michael Prize was awarded to Maxime Baud from Bern in one of two categories. In addition, the jury of the Alfred Hauptmann Prize awarded scientific work on epileptology from Switzerland as the best in the German-speaking world in both categories.

At least two of these award winners and several other researchers will present their projects and findings to date on 21 November 2025 and answer questions from the audience. The Swiss Epilepsy Research Network (SERENE), founded in 2019, will thus be presenting itself to the public for the first time. It will show a professional audience the various topics currently being researched in Switzerland and the findings and publications that can be expected in the near future.

The Epilepsy League’s 2025 Research Recognition Award will also be presented at the SERENE Symposium, with contributions from the two award winners. Other topics are likely to include ‘weather forecasts’ for epilepsy, a new ‘Digital Response Test in Epilepsy’ on everyday skills, developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEE) and deep brain stimulation, to name but a few.

On the morning of the same day, Athina Tzovara and Maxime Baud will organise a tandem symposium on intracranial EEG. Both events will be held in English.

The Epilepsy League has again announced two awards for 2026: the annual Research Recognition Award and the Prize for Best Dissertation.