complex
and rare
Epilepsies

Every story counts.
Every effort matters.

Fund research,
Spark awareness,
Change lives.

E+ refers to rare, severe, and complex epilepsies that involve more than seizures, including serious neurological and developmental challenges.

Why it is important

E+ epilepsies face challenges like limited policy attention, stigma, unequal access to diagnosis and care, and difficult transitions from pediatric to adult services. Lack of treatment guidelines, multilingual information, and research investment further impact patients. Addressing these issues is vital to improve care and quality of life.

Who is E+A

E+A (Epilepsy+ Alliance) is an alliance advocating for those affected by rare epilepsies, including serious neurological and developmental challenges as an extra (+) burden. It is an alliance of patient groups, families, healthcare professionals, and researchers united to provide support, share knowledge, and advocate.

Strategic priorities

At the heart of our mission are patients and families, guiding every step we take with an inclusive, person-focused approach rooted in ambition and integrity.

  • Improved detection and diagnosis
    Advancing early and accurate identification of E+ conditions to ensure timely care.
  • Precision medicine and targeted therapies
    advocate for innovative treatments tailored to the unique needs of each patient.
  • Enhancing quality of life
    Supporting holistic care that addresses medical, social, and emotional well-being for patients and their families.

Our objective

Hope. Strength. Union. These aren’t just values — they’re how we move forward.

  1. Holistic care for Patients and families
  2. Support for patients, caregivers, and siblings
  3. Access to effective treatments
  4. Building a strong European and international network
  5. Amplifying the voice of patients and caregivers in research and policy

Partnerships
and members

🫱🏻‍🫲🏻 COLLABORATIONS 🫱🏻‍🫲🏻

EpiCARE — The European Reference Network for Rare and Complex Epilepsies (EU)

EFNA – European Federation of Neurological Associations (EU)

REN — Rare Epilepsy Network (US and Canada)

IBE – International Bureau for Epilepsy (Global)

 

🩷 FULL MEMBERS of E+A 🩷

CROATIA:

Dravet sindrom Hrvatska

FRANCE:

Association contre les Maladies Mitochondriales

KCNQ2 France Development

Alliance Syndrome de Dravet

GERMANY:

Syngap Elternhilfe e.V.

ITALY:

Associazione Italiana GLUT1

Fondazione Dravet ETS

Unione Italiana Nexmif

LUXEMBOURG:

AAPE – L’Association d’Aide aux Personnes Epileptiques

NETHERLANDS:

EpilepsieNL

POLAND:

PACS2 Research Foundation

Dravet.pl

SPAIN:

Fundación para la Investigación del Síndrome de Dravet

UK:

CDKL5 UK

UKIST – UK Infantile Spasms Trust 

Matthew’s Friends

HOPE for epilepsy

EUROPE:

GRIN Europe

 

💜 ASSOCIATED MEMBERS of E+A 💜

CZECH REPUBLIC:

Epicana

FINLAND:

Epilepsialiitto

FRANCE:

Association Enfants CASK France

Dup15q France

Sclerose Tubereuse de Bourneville

GEORGIA:

Georgian Rett syndrome and other rare diseases association

SCN2A Georgia

GERMANY:

CDKL5 Deutschland e.V.

KCNQ2 e.V.

STXBP1 e.V.

ITALY:

Associazione Famiglie LGS Italia

Insieme per la ricerca PCDH19 – ETS

OR.S.A – Organizzazione Sindrome di Angelman

Associazione Sindrome di Sturge Weber Italia

Famiglie SYNGAP1 Italia

LATVIA:

Epilepsijas biedrība “Aura”

LUXEMBOURG:

Association Luxembourgeoise du Syndrome de Rett

NORWAY:

Epilepsiforbundet Dravet syndrom

Forening for Sjeldne Nevroutviklingsforstyrrelser

Norsk forening for Tuberos Sklerose Kompleks

SERBIA:

Life – Association for Rare Diseases in Children

SLOVAKIA:

CDKL5 Slovakia

SPAIN:

Asociación KCNQ2 España

De Neu – Asociación de Enfermedades de los Neurotransmisores

Asociación Afectados CDKL5

SWEEDEN:

Svenska Epilepsiforbundet

SWITZERLAND:

Dravet Suisse

SLC6A1 Switzerland

UK:

Pitt-Hopkins UK

Rett UK

Dravet syndrome UK

Epilepsy sparks

UKRAINE:

Access to Life

EUROPE:

European KCNQ2 Association

 

🧡 GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS of E+A 🧡

USA:

AHC Foundation – Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood Foundation 

STXBP1 Foundation

Koolen-de Vries Syndrome Foundation

LATIN AMERICA:

Espacio Epilepsia

AUSTRALIA:

SCN2A Australia

GLOBAL:

IAHCRC – International Consortium for the Research on Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood

Resources

Access a wide range of downloadable materials designed to support families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.

Our resources include guides, fact sheets, educational tools, and practical advice to help navigate the complexities of rare and complex epilepsies.

Title
Type
Date
E+ Survey (Part 1)
Survey
10 March 2026
E+ Survey (Part 2)
Survey
10 March 2026

Approved by:

  • Research Ethics Committee (EC Research) of UZ/KU Leuven (reference: S71638)
  • Research Ethics Committee of the Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of the Valencian Community (Public Health Research Ethics Committee and External Ethics Committee of the IBSP-CV Biobank and the Valencian Biobank Network) (reference: 20260226/09/P)
"Fill-in the Dot: Advancing Collaboration of European Patient Communities for Rare and Complex Epilepsies in the Era of Genetic Etiologies"
Poster
6 September 2026

News and
announcements

Stay updated with the latest developments, events, and important announcements related to E+.

  • The + Alliance will be attending the 16th European Epilepsy Congress, taking place in Athens from 5–9 September 2026. Click "Read more" to see all the contributions of E+ Alliance members.

    5 - 9 September 2026

    Read more
  • E+ Alliance was pleased to participate in the EpiCARE Annual Meeting 2026 in Leuven, Belgium, represented by our President, Isabella Brambilla.

    16 - 18 June 2026

    Read more
  • On the 13th European Conference on Rare Diseases & Orphan Products (ECRD 2026) in Prague, Isabella Brambilla, President of E+ Alliance, joined experts from across Europe in the session “Rethinking Mental Health in Rare Conditions: From Undefined Challenges to Collaborative Solutions."

    4 June 2026

    Read more
  • The E+ Alliance participated in the International Drug Repurposing Conference (iDR26), which brings together the global drug repurposing community to navigate the next chapter in maximising patient benefit.

    12 - 13 May 2026

  • E+ Alliance participated in the 7th Dianalund International Conference on Epilepsy, taking place in Køge (Denmark). A unique event which connected clinicians, researchers, patients’ perspectives, and industry around the shared goal of improving outcomes in DEEs..

    6 - 8 May 2026

    Read more
  • E+ Alliance was proud to represent the rare and complex epilepsy community at the European Expert Patient Council Meeting hosted by Angelini Pharma in Rome, Italy.

    18 - 19 April 2026

    Read more
  • E+ present among global leaders convening around rare epilepsy in Windsor, UK, coordinated by the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE).

    10 - 11 April 2026

    Read more
  • E+A represented by Sandra Silva Arrieta participated at the Strategy Summit hosted by Lundbeck highlighted what meaningful innovation in brain health should look like.

    23 March 2026

    Read more
  • E+ Alliance was proud to participate in the European Dravet Syndrome Conference 2026, bringing the patient voice to important discussions on clinical research and trial design, strengthening collaboration and promoting patient-centred research and policies.

    19 - 20 March 2026

    Read more
  • On December 18th, our board presented the topic "How amplify the voices of patients and caregivers in rare and complex epilepsies community", a EPAG EpiCare webinar.

    18 December 2025

    Read more
  • We’re honored to see our VicePresident José Ángel Aibar contribute to the American Epilepsy Society dialogue on mortality in DEEs.

    7 December 2025

    Read more
  • E+A helped move Europe forward at the European Parliament, where our President, Isabella Brambilla, participated in Panel 3: Partnering for Progress in Europe.

    2 December 2025

    Read more
  • Four of our founders took the stage to bring the patient voice to the centre of the discussion alongside the leading voices in epilepsy care at “In Search of Lost Time” Workshop in Rome by ERN EpiCARE - Rare and Complex Epilepsies!

    12–14 November 2025

    Read more
  • 🌟 E+A Proudly Supported the 7th European GRIN Conference 🌟

    17–19 October 2025

    Read more
  • The E+ Alliance is proud to have officially launched our alliance at the 36th International Epilepsy Congress (IEC 2025) in Lisbon.

    30 August–3 September 2025

    Read more
  • First Rare and Complex Epilepsies Patient Advocacy Organisations and EpiCARE ePAG Meeting

    9–10 May 2025

  • Join E+A at the 36th International Epilepsy Congress (IEC 2025)

    30 August–3 September 2025

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Contact us

For enquiries, support, or collaboration opportunities, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Our team is committed to providing timely and helpful responses to all your questions and requests.

info@epilepsyplus.org

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