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Thursday, May 29, 2025

Speakers

Maria Thom

Maria Thom is an academic neuropathologist based at the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology in London. She combines her clinical diagnostic work with a strong research focus on epilepsy. She established an epilepsy brain and tissue bank at UCL, supported by the Epilepsy Society, to facilitate the archiving and use of human tissue samples for research across multiple centres. Her recent research has explored neurodegenerative cellular mechanisms in epilepsy and their correlation with MRI findings, with support from the Wellcome Trust. She also investigates neuropathological findings in cases of sudden and unexpected death in epilepsy, as well as the pathogenesis of focal surgical pathologies such as hippocampal sclerosis and focal cortical dysplasia. Over the past decade, Dr. Thom has contributed regularly to Euro-CNS and ILAE neuropathology teaching courses and has served on diagnostic commission task forces for the ILAE. She is the author of several book chapters in this field, including the 2024 10th edition of Greenfield’s Neuropathology, and serves as executive editor for Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology in the area of epilepsy.

Abstract: Cognitive decline in older adults with epilepsy represents a significant co-morbidity and people with epilepsy are also more at risk for developing dementia. In addition to hippocampal damage, progressive cortical atrophy is a prominent finding on MRI, especially in drug-resistant focal epilepsy and the ENIGMA-epilepsy consortium demonstrated common patterns of cortical atrophy in focal epilepsies. However, the pattern of atrophy in epilepsy differs from that seen in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and the precise neuropathology correlates are uncertain.

In tissue samples from patients operated for drug refractory epilepsy as well as post-mortem series we have been exploring the evidence and prevalence of neurodegenerative pathology including tauopathy, as AD and CTE, small vessel disease and cortical atrophy. This has been correlated with neuroimaging parameters and neuropsychology profiles in an aim to predict neuropathology biomarkers that could be relevant to any memory decline in epilepsy.

Matthias Koepp

Matthias Koepp is a Professor of Neurology at the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and a Consultant Neurologist at the National Hospital for Neurology in London. After earning his MD in Berlin in 1991, he moved to London to complete a PhD focused on neuroimaging in epilepsy under the mentorship of John Duncan. His clinical practice serves over 2,000 people annually, alongside a research program investigating mechanisms of comorbidities in epilepsy to predict cognitive, mood, and seizure outcomes after treatment. He currently co-leads the first anti-epileptogenesis trial in post-stroke epilepsy and a Wellcome Trust-funded study on dementia in epilepsy. His work has earned multiple international awards, including the Michael Prize, the ILAE Ambassador for Epilepsy Award, and the 2023 AES Clinical Science Recognition Award.

Location

The Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital is at 3801 University Street, north of Pine Avenue West, on the ɬÀï·¬ campus opposite the former Royal Victoria Hospital.

Montreal is served by highway Routes 10, 15, 20 and 40, and by Greyhound Bus, Via Rail and the P-E-Trudeau airport. In the city, bus and metro service is provided by the Société de transport de Montréal (STM).

Wheelchair access

A wheelchair accessible entrance is on University Street north of the main entrance. Another wheelchair accessible entrance is in the loading area behind the building: to enter the loading area, turn into the driveway south of the main entrance. Please note, there is no parking in the loading area.

Parking

Parking near the MNI is sometimes difficult. There are parking meters on University Street and a parking lot north of the main entrance. To enter the lot, turn right into the driveway toward Molson Stadium.

Information about parking fees

Taxi Stand

There is a taxi stand on University Street across from the main entrance. You may call a cab from the free taxi phone in the main lobby near the Security Desk.

Access by Public TransportationÌý

Bus

There are four bus stops within walking distance:

• Bus 144 stops at Pine Avenue and University Street
• Bus 356 stops at Sherbrooke Street and University Street (Nightbus)
• Bus 107 stops at Pine Avenue and Docteur Penfield
• Bus 24 stops at Sherbrooke Street and University Street

Metro

Take the Metro Green Line to the ɬÀï·¬ station. Walk north on University Street and cross Pine Avenue. The main entrance is on the right, past the flags.

Jeanne Timmins Amphitheatre

• Enter the main lobby, turn left, and go down the hallway to the end.
• Turn right and go down the second hallway until you see another hallway on the left.
• This hallway leads to the Jeanne Timmins Foyer.
• On yourÌýrightÌýare the Jeanne Timmins Amphitheatre entrance doors.

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Scientific Committee

Boris Bernhardt

Raluca Pana

Alexander Barnett

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