Cordial Welcome ! From Chairperson

It is my special privilege and great honor to address my warmest welcome greetings to all colleagues in the globe who are willing to participate in the forthcoming International Symposium on Neonatal Seizures and Related Conditions (ISNS), Tokyo, Japan, April 8-10, 2011.

ISNS is the 14th Annual Meeting of the Infantile Seizure Society (ISS): The ISS is an international organization which was born in Tokyo in 1998, with a bold aim to tackle seizure problems in early life. The ISS had been held once every year dealing with selected various topics successfully. The main theme chosen for 2011 ISS meeting is neonatal seizures and related conditions. Neonatal seizures are the most common newborn encephalopathy and occur in 0.15 % 0.35 % of infants. Clinical semiology and pathogenesis are quite unique and distinctive from those of older children, which necessitates us to develop different strategies in diagnosis and management. Actually, the subject have extensively been studied by investigators worldwide, but still a lot of controversies remained to be approached. ILAE Commission published a special report on the proposed algorithm for diagnosis and treatment of neonatal seizures in developing countries (Epilepsia 2007; 48: 1158-1164), and they expressed a hope that further field tests and comments will follow. Thus, the ISNS 2011 shall be organized to work up on this line, by reviewing the current knowledge and exploring the future way to be pursued.

April is the most pleasant season with cherry-blossom in Japan. I am sure that your active participation will be amply rewarded professionally as well as a tourist. Lastly, I would like to meet you in Tokyo next year officially as well as personally.

Yukio Fukuyama, MD
Chairperson, Board of Council, Infantile Seizure Society;
Honorary President, Asian & Oceanian Child Neurology Association

Invitation from Conference President

Dear colleagues,

On behalf of Organizing Committee, I am very pleased to invite you to the 14th Annual Meeting of the Infantile Seizure Society and The International Symposium on Neonatal Seizures and Related Conditions (ISNS) which will be held in Tokyo, Japan, April 8-10, 2011.

It is well known that there are a number of causes for NS and that we often come across subclinical seizures that do not necessarily involve clinical symptoms. Therefore it is critical for us to make a quick and precise diagnosis as well as to start an early treatment of primary diseases.
In this Symposium we would like to focus as electrophysiological diagnosis (EEG, aEEG) which is crucial for the diagnosis of NS. In addition, we would also like to touch on Genetics, Diagnostic neuro-imaging (MRI), Treatment, Prognosis, Early Infantile Epileptic Encephalopathy (EIEE), Hypoxia ischemia and seizures as well as NS-related diseases.

(1) Tokyo, as the capital of Japan, has a history of four hundred years with a variety of traditions and cultures that have been lasting since the Edo era. Now it has been widely recognized as one of the most exciting and modern cities, as a result of its remarkable economic growth and cultural progress. You might imagine Tokyo as a kind of ‘concrete jungle’ with office buildings and skyscrapers lined in a row. On the contrary, we have as many as two hundred seventy-seven splendid parks and gardens where you can fully enjoy nature. We encourage you all to visit Tokyo once to experience all three elements simultaneously, traditions, modern aspects of cities, and nature.

(2) Ochanomizu, the place of conference, of the neighborhood area was a daimyo’s mansion at the days of Edo. Currently, that area is known as private tutoring school area and the biggest student street of Japan which is situated by Meiji University, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Juntendo University ext.
The time of second general Hidetada Tokugawa, it had the spring appears from the Kourinji which was at the north of the valley. It was used for the tea water for the general and the place was also called Ochanomizu (is meaned as Tea water).
April is the time of cherry blossom and it is famous as near scattering is the most beautiful. As the same time, there is the season of school and company entry, and also called as departure season. We are also inviting the doctors as feeling with freshness and waiting for a lot of doctors participating. We hope for the happiness of all of the participants with this chairman greeting.

We kindly look forward to seeing many of you to Tokyo in April 2011.

Sincerely yours,

Shinichi Niijima,MD
Department of Pediatrics,
Juntendo University Nerima Hospital