In 2019, the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) Education Task Force published a competency-based curriculum for epileptology [1]. The Epileptic Disorders Internship Program team has developed a series of online, video-based learning modules (“Roadmap to EEGs”) addressing competencies related to interpreting EEG and describing common adults and pediatric EEG patterns (1.4) and diagnosing and classifying epilepsies and epilepsy syndromes using the most recent ILAE classifications (1.7). This series covers seven major topics in electroencephalography and epileptology (table 1), and all videos are publicly available and readily accessible via the Epileptic Disorders website (see accompanying supplementary material) and the Epileptic Disorders Internship Program YouTube® channel. In alignment with principles of adult learning theory [2] and prior ILAE e-learning experience [3], we ensured that each video is relatively short (duration ranging from 9 to 16 minutes) and focuses on high-yield information. Moreover, all educational content is based on the most recent guidelines and ILAE position statements [4-7]. Additionally, we would encourage all learners to complete a pre-test (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RoadmapPreTest) and post-test (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RoadmapPost-test)because this data will help us estimate learning outcomes and modify the modules accordingly in future revisions. We believe this e-learning series will allow junior trainees to acquire foundational knowledge in EEG/epilepsy, and senior trainees to review previously learned EEG/epilepsy information. We hope that our Roadmap to EEGs will help innumerable trainees across the globe achieve competency in EEG and epileptology.
Non-epileptiform sharp transients/spiky fluctuation of the background activityPosterior slow waves of youthTemporal slow of the elderlySlow-fused transientsSlow (notched) alpha variant 6Hz SWs14 and 6Hz positive bursts
6 IFCN criteria for defining an interictal epileptiform discharge [4] with examples of both IED and non-epileptiform discharges
1.4.9
5A
Focal seizures: Part 1
Basic principles of focal seizuresBrief pattern qualifying as ictalLow voltage fast activity with evolving rhythmFocal electrodecrement seizureLeft frontal seizure
1.4.10
5B
Focal seizures: Part 2
Right occipital evolving seizure>2.5 Hz SWRight temporal seizure
IGE EEG and clinical hallmarksChildhood absence epilepsyJuvenile absence epilepsyJuvenile myoclonic epilepsyEpilepsy with generalized tonic-clonic activity
1.4.101.7.4
7A
Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies: Part 1 [6]
EEG and clinical hallmarksEarly infantile onset (Infantile/neonatal onsetIESS (West syndrome)Dravet Syndrome
1.4.91.4.101.7.5
7B
Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies: Part 2 [7]
Childhood onset (2-12 years of age)Lennox-Gastaut syndromeLandau-Kleffner syndrome (subtype of EE-SWAS)
1.4.91.4.101.7.5
POSTS: positive occipital sharp transients of sleep
RMTD: rhythmic mid-temporal theta of drowsiness
SSS: small sharp spikes
IED: interictal epileptiform discharge
IFCN: International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology
IGE: idiopathic generalized epilepsy
IESS: infantile epileptic spasms syndrome
EIDEE: early infantile developmental and epileptic encephalopathy
EE-SWAS: epileptic encephalopathy with spike-wave activation in sleep
SW: spike-wave
Table 1.
Roadmap to EEG e-learning modules: characteristics of the e-learning modules including topics, content, and learning objectives.
Supplementary material
Supplementary data and summary slides accompanying the manuscript are available at www.epilepticdisorders.com.
Disclosures
The authors would like to disclose the following: I. Sheikh, R. Katyal, and A. Hadjinicolaou are Interns of the Epileptic Disorders Internship Program. S. Beniczky is Editor-in-Chief of Epileptic Disorders, and F. Nascimento is Associate Editor of Epileptic Disorders.