LASSE XIX, Advanced
Understanding and challenging refractoriness
Guadalajara, Mexico
February 23-28, 2026
High-quality training on cutting-edge aspects of pharmacotherapy and drug resistance in epilepsy, with a focus on the multifactorial nature of pharmacoresistant epilepsy, approached through a translational and interdisciplinary perspective.
Specifically aimed at young professionals from both clinical and basic backgrounds, with a relatively advanced level of training.
A multimodal learning experience, integrating theory, practice, and collaboration during a one-week series of lectures, workshops, and group activities.
The regional perspective will be highlighted in a dedicated module on pharmacoeconomics and public health, addressing specific challenges, such as access to medication and cost-effectiveness.
Program
Monday, February 23, 2026
09:00What is refractory epilepsy? Historical overview
Lecture
Conceptualization and Current Definition
09:20Current definition. Criticisms of the current concept of pharmaco resistance and new proposals
Virtual Event
10:00Break
Break
10:30Group work
Group Work
12:30Lunch
Break
14:00What is pseudo-pharmaco resistance? Common diagnostic and therapeutic mistakes
Lecture
Round table: Pseudo-pharmacoresistance
14:30Evaluation of pseudo-pharmacoresistance: video-EEG, diagnostic re-evaluation
Virtual Event
15:00Hands-on Case Discussions: Predicting drug response in clinical scenarios
Workshop
16:00Models to Predict Drug Response – Use of biomarkers, machine learning, and personalized medicine
Virtual Event
Session & Workshop: Can we predict pharmacoresistance?
16:40Clinical factors that predict pharmacoresistance
Lecture
17:20Translational Workshop: Integrating Mechanistic Knowledge into Treatment Plans
Workshop
19:00Dinner
Break
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
09:00Ion Channels in Epilepsy
Lecture
09:45GABA and Glutamate Receptors
Lecture
10:30Break
Break
11:00Synaptic vesicle proteins and other Mechanisms of Action
Virtual Event
11:30What Other Diseases Can Teach Us About Reversing Pharmacoresistance
Lecture
12:30Lunch
Break
14:00New Molecules and Future Therapies – Advances in rational drug design
Lecture
14:45Roundtable: Challenges in Translating Mechanisms to Clinical Outcomes
Lecture
16:00Break
Break
16:30Phases and costs of drug development
Lecture
17:30Meeting with tutors
Group Work
20:30Dinner
Break
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
09:00Drug Transporters and Efflux Systems
Lecture
09:30Pharmacokinetic and Target-Related Mechanisms
Lecture
10:00Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine
Virtual Event
10:30Break
Break
11:00Etiology associated factors
Lecture
11:30Genetic basis
Virtual Event
12:00Q&A Session
Lecture
12:30Lunch
Break
14:00Microglia and Astrocyte Roles in Drug Resistant Epilepsy
Lecture
14:30Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Oxidative Stress and Neuroinflammation
Lecture
15:00Connectivity in the Epileptogenic Zone
Virtual Event
15:30Break
Break
16:00Experimental Models of Pharmacoresistance
Workshop
17:30Meeting with tutors
Group Work
19:30Dinner
Break
21:00Fiesta de las naciones
Social Event
Thursday, February 26, 2026
09:00Electrographic biomarkers of the DRE
Lecture
09:30Predicting the outcome after epilepsy surgery
Lecture
10:00Q&A Session
Lecture
10:15Break
Break
10:30Corticosteroids and immunotherapy in epilepsy: past or future?
Virtual Event
11:00Managing the diagnosis of DRE in the clinic: critical steps
Virtual Event
11:30Gene therapy in epilepsy: the future is here
Lecture
12:30Q&A Session
Lecture
13:00Lunch
Break
14:00Parallel hands-on workshops: Simulation of drug response
Workshop
18:30Dinner
Break
21:00Ethics in research
Lecture
Friday, February 27, 2026
09:00Morbi-mortality of pharmaco-resistant epilepsy
Lecture
09:30Psychiatric and cognitive comorbidity
Lecture
10:00Impact on personal development and quality of life
Lecture
10:30Break
Break
10:45Costs of epilepsy and pharmaco-resistant epilepsy
Lecture
11:30Indirect costs of epilepsy from the patients’ perspective
Lecture
12:00Q&A Session
Lecture
12:30Lunch
Break
14:00Cost-effectiveness of antiseizure medications: a patient-centered perspective
Lecture
14:30Cost-effectiveness of antiseizure medications: perspective of health and funding agencies
Lecture
15:00Access to antiseizure medications and therapeutic gap in Latin America
Lecture
15:30Break
Break
16:00Solution or delusion: originals vs. generics in epilepsy
Lecture
16:30The role of funding and investment on pharmaceutical innovation
Lecture
17:00Summary of contributions from the industry working group
Lecture
18:00Discussion and proposals
Lecture
Saturday, February 28, 2026
09:00Group Presentation
Group Work
12:00Lunch
Break
13:30Group Presentation
Group Work
15:30Break
Break
16:00Bridging basic science, drug mechanisms, and resistance into clinical practice
Virtual Event
16:30How new knowledge may reshape definitions of refractoriness
Virtual Event
17:00Roundtable: Where do we go from here?
Lecture
19:30Dinner
Break
21:00Farewell Party
Social Event
Faculty
Angel Aledo-Serrano
Spain
Mario Alonso Vanegas
Mexico
Jerónimo Auzmendi
Argentina
Giuseppe Bertini
Italy
Marta Bertone
Argentina
Alicia Bogacz
Uruguay
Instituto de Neurología UDELAR
Patricia Braga
Uruguay
Instituto de Neurología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Uruguay
Jorge Burneo
Canada
Jaime Carrizosa
Colombia
Esper Cavalheiro
Brazil
Fernando Cendes
Brazil
Guilca Contreras
Venezuela
Centro Medico Docente La Trinidad
Jacqueline French
United States
María del Carmen García
Argentina
Hospital Italiano Buenos Aires
Laura Hernández
Mexico
Katia Lin
Brazil
Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC)
Iscia Lopes-Cendes
Brazil
Leonor López-Meraz
Mexico
Instituto de Investigaciones Cerebrales. Universidad Veracruzana
Iris Martínez
Mexico
Laura Medina-Ceja
Mexico
Sandra Orozco-Suárez
Mexico
Mexican Institute of Social Security
Jose Eduardo Peixoto-Santos
Brazil
Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo
Luisa Rocha
Mexico
Rafael Naime Ruggiero
Brazil
UniFeSP
Loreto Ríos
Chile
Helen Scharfman
United States
Francisco Taveras
Dominican Republic
Mónica E. Ureña-Guerrero
Mexico
Universidad de Guadalajara - CUCBA
Elvira Vacas
Spain
Samuel Wiebe
Canada
The school venue
University of Guadalajara's Villa Primavera is a countryside hotel nestled within the Bosque de la Primavera ("Spring Forest"), a protected natural reserve located less than an hour from downtown Guadalajara.
Guadalajara, known as "the city of roses", is Mexico's third-largest city, celebrated as the birthplace of mariachi and tequila. It's here that a dedicated local organizing team will be ready to welcome us.
Thanks to its tranquil, natural surroundings and its strong ties to the University's academic community, Hotel Villa Primavera–UdG offers the perfect setting to host this new LASSE experience.
Supported by
