Past Events

Partners Against Mortality in Epilepsy (PAME) is a powerful, growing collaboration among health care providers, clinical researchers, basic scientists, public health officials, patient advocates, caregivers, bereaved families, and people living with epilepsy. This range of stakeholders come together with a common goal of improving our understanding of and working to prevent epilepsy-related forms of mortality, including suicide, accidents, and status epilepticus, and with a strong focus on Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP).

The Partners Against Mortality in Epilepsy (PAME) conference occurred virtually during AES's annual conference on December 7, 2020. During the PAME session, stakeholders came together with a common goal of improving our understanding of and working to prevent epilepsy-related forms of mortality, including suicide, accidents, and status epilepticus, and with a strong focus on Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP).Thanks to the Dravet Syndrome Foundation, the National Association of Epilepsy Centers, the Child Neurology Foundation, and Jenna Robinson Charities for their financial support.

The 2018 Partners Against Mortality in Epilepsy occurred in Alexandria, VA, from June 14–16, 2018. This fourth PAME meeting boasted the largest number of attendees of all PAME events. Collaboration continued to be a significant thrust, with strong partnerships that included the American Epilepsy Society, Epilepsy Foundation, CDC, NINDS, and Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy coming to the table to build the meeting.

The third biannual Partners Against Mortality in Epilepsy (PAME) conference was held in Alexandria, VA, from June 23–26, 2016. This was an intimate meeting of clinical and basic scientists, clinicians, people affected by Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy Patients (SUDEP), a loved one, people living with epilepsy, and patient advocate organizations.

The second Partners Against Mortality in Epilepsy conference occurred in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on June 19–22, 2014. The presenters summarized the latest research on death in people with epilepsy, especially sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Speakers included some of the most prominent scientists in the field. This conference was made possible by the hard work of many partner organizations and agencies, including the American Epilepsy Society, Epilepsy Foundation, Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE), Finding a Cure for Epilepsy and Seizures, Danny Did Foundation and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

The first Partners Against Mortality in Epilepsy (PAME) conference occurred in Evanston, Illinois, on June 22-24, 2012. The meeting focused on Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) as a major source of mortality resulting from seizures. The 'partnership' that organized this conference grew out of the collaboration known as the SUDEP Coalition. The partners that served on the Organizing Committee included the American Epilepsy Society, Centers for Disease Control, Citizens United for Epilepsy Research, Epilepsy Foundation, Epilepsy Therapy Project, National Institutes of Neurological Disorders & Stroke, and SUDEP Aware.