Project ECHO Epilepsy Canada (PEEC)

Epilepsy in Adults: ECHO Ontario and The Canadian League Against Epilepsy (CLAE)

Epilepsy in Children & Youth: ECHO Ontario and The Canadian League Against Epilepsy (CLAE)

ECHO Epilepsy’s Advanced Programs (National)

A national partnership integrating leading epilepsy experts to enrich and expand accessible, practical evidence-based epilepsy education for healthcare providers across Canada.

JAN. 7 - MAR. 26, 2026 | Wednesdays & Thursdays from 12:00 - 1:00 PM (EST)

Project ECHO Epilepsy Canada (PEEC), launched in partnership with the Canadian League Against Epilepsy (CLAE), marks the national expansion of ECHO Epilepsy programming. PEEC will feature 20 pilot sessions (Adult Advanced and Child & Youth Advanced) delivered by national subject matter experts, delivered by ECHO’s proven case-based, virtual community format.

Sessions will cover a broad range of practical topics such as management of drug-resistant epilepsy, autoimmune epilepsy, stigma, women’s health, elderly care, temporal lobe epilepsy, driving, EEG and neuroimaging interpretation, seizure semiology, genetics, structural/metabolic causes, neurocutaneous syndromes, mental health, and adolescent issues.

The series is nationally accredited. We invite participation and case submissions from healthcare providers nationwide, enriching epilepsy care education and fostering a collaborative community across Canada.

National Subject Matter Experts

Next Session

March 11, 2026

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

S10. Seizure Semiology: Video Based Learning (Part 2)

Case Support

Healthcare providers can present your de-identified case for advice, support and written recommendations.

Submit a Case

This national series is facilitated by the Project Epilepsy Across the Lifespan and the Canadian League Against Epilepsy (CLAE).

Syllabus: Adult Advanced

Management of Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

Recognize when to advocate for non-pharmacological management strategies for drug-resistant epilepsy.
Describe:
- Epilepsy surgery
- Neuro-stimulation (VNS, DBS, RNS)
- Ketogenic Diet (KD) (including Modified Atkins Diet (MAD))

Autoimmune Epilepsy

Review clinical presentation of autoimmune epilepsy
Discuss general investigations and management of autoimmune epilepsy

Stigma in Epilepsy

Discuss the impact of health inequities on care of individuals living with epilepsy
Discuss how stigma can impact our patients and how to help mitigate some impacts of stigma in epilepsy

Women and Epilepsy: Issues in Contraception, Pregnancy, and Postpartum

Discuss the interaction between oral contraceptives and anti-seizure medications (ASM)
Recognize special considerations for prescribing ASMs with respect to family planning
Describe the rates of teratogenicity for various ASMs
Identify common caregiver safety concerns such as breastfeeding and caring for young children

Considerations in the Elderly for Epilepsy Management

Discuss the approach to managing polypharmacy and drug interactions commonly seen in elderly patients.
Describe issues related to elderly with epilepsy related to comorbidities

Temporal Lobe epilepsy

Describe common semiology and clinical presentations of temporal lobe epilepsy
Discuss management options: comparing outcomes with medical management vs. surgical options

Driving and Epilepsy

Discuss how epilepsy can impact working people, and strategies on how to mitigate this impact
Identify provincial resources that may be helpful
Identify provincial guidelines for reporting and counselling re: driving in epilepsy
Other safety considerations (water safety, driving, heights, etc.)

Interpretation of EEG reports

Review basic principles of EEG reports including background, sleep features, epileptic features, or slowing
Discuss features of focal vs. generalized seizures based on examples in reports

Interpretation of neuroimaging (MRI + CT)

Discuss how to interpret MRI and CT reports
Describe common results and interpretations of these results

Seizure Semiology: Video Based Learning Part 2

Differentiate between focal and generalized epilepsies 
Use of video-based descriptions of different seizure semiologies

Syllabus: Children & Youth Advanced

Genetics 101: Genetic Epilepsies – when to consider? what to send?

Recognize that epilepsy can be a genetic condition
Identify patients with epilepsy that may benefit from genetic testing
Discuss specific genetic epilepsies (e.g., SCN1A, GLUT1)
Describe the process of genetic testing for epilepsy in Ontario

Specific epilepsy causes: Autoimmune epilepsies

Review current information including clinical presentations in autoimmune epilepsy (including NMDA-receptor encephalitis)
Discuss general investigations and management of autoimmune epilepsy

Specific epilepsy causes: Treatable genetic/metabolic epilepsies

General overview of genetic/metabolic conditions which can be associated with epilepsy
Discuss specific metabolic epilepsies (pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy, GLUT1)
Discuss work-up for metabolic epilepsies (e.g., metabolic blood-work screening)

Structural causes of epilepsy (focal cortical dysplasia, polymicrogyria, periventricular nodular heterotopia, tumours)

General approach to MRI reports in epilepsy
Review various structural causes of epilepsy
Describe when to order appropriate neuroimaging protocols for patients with epilepsy
Recognize when to order further investigations based on EEG

Epilepsy and Neurocutaneous Syndromes

Discuss the correlation between epilepsy and neurocutaneous disorders

Identify clinical presentation and management of epilepsy in neurocutaneous disorders such as Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC), neurofibromatosis type 1, and Sturge-Weber syndrome

Seizure Semiology: Part 2 (Video-based)

Differentiate between focal and generalized epilepsies
Use of video-based descriptions of different seizure semiologies

Management of Drug-Resistant Epilepsy: Ketogenic Diet

Define drug resistant epilepsy (DRE)
Recognize when to refer to a paediatric epilepsy program, referral pathways available in Ontario
Describe the underlying mechanism of the ketogenic diet
Identify how the diet is monitored in children with epilepsy
Recognize clinical considerations for ketogenic diet as a treatment option for children living with epilepsy

Management of Drug-Resistant Epilepsy: Epilepsy Surgery and Neuromodulation

Review drug resistant epilepsy (DRE)
Discuss resective vs. palliative surgery options
Overview of neuromodulation (VNS, DBS, RNS)
Describe the importance of counseling regarding DRE

Adolescents and Epilepsy (gender concerns, driving, pregnancy, SUDEP, transition)

Recognize issues that may arise for teenagers with epilepsy including contraception and pregnancy, driving, and mood disorders
Identify the risk factors for SUDEP, current preventative measures, and the importance of counselling patients and families
Recognize factors impacting health care transition for youth with epilepsy

Epilepsy and mental health

Identify the most common psychiatric somatic co-morbidities associated with epilepsy
Discuss the management of the common psychiatric and somatic comorbidities associated with epilepsy

EEG: how to interpret an EEG report

Basic principles of EEG reports including background, sleep features, epileptic features, or slowing
Features of focal vs. generalized seizures based on reports
Recognize when to order further investigations based on EEG results