A pivotal congregation of the world’s leading minds in the fields of neurology, intensive care, and neuroscience, taking place on the 27th and 28th of June 2024 at the GHU Sainte Anne, Psychiatry and Neuroscience Institute of Paris, France. This year’s pre-program, themed “Seizures in the ICU, old questions, new challenges,” promises to ignite comprehensive discussions and offer profound insights into the evolving landscape of neuroscientific research and clinical practice concerning seizures in intensive care settings.

Our two-day program begins on the 27th of June with a warm welcome and a networking coffee session, setting the stage for an enriching exchange of knowledge and ideas. The conference will officially kick off with an opening talk by the NICIS scientific and organizing committee, followed by an insightful introduction by Jan Claassen from New York, USA, laying the groundwork for our theme.

Day one is packed with sessions exploring the neurosciences of epilepsy, delving into pathophysiology, genetics, consciousness, and the very mechanisms that underlie epilepsy, as illuminated by esteemed experts like Matthew Walker, Rima Nabbout, Fabrice Bartholomei, Lionel Naccache, and Martine Gavaret. The afternoon will further dissect the various facets and terminologies of seizures, status epilepticus, and their imaging aspects, with contributions from Lawrence Hirsch, Vincent Navarro, and Simon Shorvon.

The discussions will extend into the realms of epilepsy and immunology, with focus on neuro-inflammation, NORSE/FIRES, and neuro-metabolisms, presented by luminaries such as Annamaria Vezzani, Aurélie Hanin, and Yann Nadjar, promising to shed light on the intricate links between inflammation and epilepsy and the diagnostic challenges of neurometabolic diseases.

The second day will commence with an exploration into neurophysiology, featuring talks on the terminology of electric phenomena, quantitative EEG, intracranial monitoring, and the relationship between spreading depolarization and epilepsy. Esteemed speakers like Nicolas Gaspard, Michel J.A.M. van Putten, Jan Claassen, and Roustem Khazipov will guide these sessions.

Further discussions will pivot towards the management of status epilepticus, showcasing insights from recent clinical trials, rescue therapies, continuous EEG monitoring, and the differentiation of epilepsy mimics, with contributions from Jaideep Kapur, Sophie Demeret, Lawrence Hirsch, and Nicolas Weiss.

The conference will also host a Prestige Conference on “Epilepsy, Ecstatic state, and Mysticism” by Gilles Huberfeld, alongside sessions on the management of specific etiologies and the outcome and long-term prognosis of seizures in the ICU, wrapping up with concluding remarks that promise to leave attendees inspired and informed.

NICIS 2024 is more than just a conference; it is a beacon for advancing our understanding and treatment of seizures in the ICU, fostering collaboration, and driving innovation in the field. We look forward to welcoming you to Paris for what promises to be an unforgettable gathering of minds and discoveries.