Activity provided by the American Epilepsy Society
Recording date: January 28, 2021
Activity Launch date: February 12, 2021
Expiration date: February 12, 2024


There is a widely recognized gap in clinical experience when patients present with functional seizures—sometimes referred to as psychogenic non-epileptic seizures—that can lead to less than optimal clinical outcomes for patients who live with these conditions. Often a team approach that includes mental health clinicians leads to the most effective evidence-based diagnosis and treatment.

This activity will provide an clinical overview of functional seizures. Experts will review etiology, epidemiology (including comorbidities), diagnosis (including semiology, EEG, and ILAE criteria), and treatment (including psychotherapy and pharmaceuticals). The patient perspective will also be shared.

Target Audience
Physicians, APPs, Behavioral Health Providers, Clinicians, Fellows/Trainees, Nurses, Technicians

Learning Objectives
Following participation in this activity the learner should be able to:

• Describe the epidemiology of functional seizures
• Explain the criteria for diagnosing functional seizures, using history, semiology and EEG
• Discuss evidence-based options for treatment of functional seizures, including cognitive behavioral therapy

Disclosure Policy
It is the policy of the American Epilepsy Society (AES) to ensure balance, independence, objectivity and scientific rigor. All individuals involved in the selection, development and presentation of content are required to disclose any real or apparent conflicts of interest. Conflicts of interest will be resolved by AES prior to an educational activity being delivered to learners.

Planning Committee, Faculty, Reviewers' Disclosures of Financial Relationships
In accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education, the AES requires that any person who is in a position to control content of a CME activity must disclose all relevant financial relationships that they have with an ineligible company. Unless otherwise indicated (*), none of the planners or faculty of this activity have any financial relationships to disclose. All relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies have been mitigated. The following individuals contributed to this activity’s content.

Planning Committee and Faculty
Ali Asadi-Pooya, MD (Presenter)
Sean Hwang, MD
Susan Koh, MD 
Bridget Mildon (Panelist)
Heidi Munger Clary, MD, MPH (Moderator)
Tyson Sawchuk, PhD, RPsych (Presenter)
Evan Schulze, PhD
Benjamin Tolchin, MD, MS (Presenter) – US Department of Veteran Affairs – Grant/Contract; Columbia University Medical Center, International Leagues Against Epilepsy, American Academy of Neurology - Honoraria

CME Reviewer
Jay Salpekar, MD - Lundbeck: Investigator initiated study- research funding to institution only; contracted research
Elaine Sing-Wah Seto, MD, PhD
Dr. Seto has indicated she has no financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose

American Epilepsy Society Staff Planners
Cristina Graham
Kandice Kidd, MA

Resolution of Conflicts of Interest
It is the policy of the American Epilepsy Society to ensure balance, independence, objectivity and scientific rigor. All persons involved in the selection, development and presentation of content are required to disclose any real or apparent conflicts of interest. In accordance with the ACCME Standards of Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education, the AES implemented the mechanisms of prospective peer review of this CME activity, to identify and resolve any conflicts. Additionally, the content of this activity is based on the best available evidence.

Accreditation
The American Epilepsy Society is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

For more information regarding contact hours, please call American Epilepsy Society 312.883.3800 or education@aesnet.org.

Credit Designation
The American Epilepsy Society designates this internet enduring activity for a maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

CME Certificate
To receive credit for your participation in this activity, please complete the evaluation survey provided at the conclusion of the activity.

Unapproved Use Disclosure
The American Epilepsy Society requires CME authors to disclose to learners when products or procedures being discussed are off-label, unlabeled, experimental, and/or investigational (not FDA approved); and any limitations on the information that is presented, such as data that are preliminary or that represent ongoing research, interim analyses, and/or unsupported opinion. This information is intended solely for continuing medical education and is not intended to promote off-label use of these medications. If you have questions, contact the medical affairs department of the manufacturer for the most recent prescribing information. Information about pharmaceutical agents/devices that is outside of U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved labeling may be contained in this activity.

Disclaimer
This CME activity is for educational purposes only and does not constitute the opinion or endorsement of, or promotion by, the American Epilepsy Society. Reasonable efforts have been taken to present educational subject matter in a balanced, unbiased fashion, and in compliance with regulatory requirements. However, each activity participant must always use his or her own personal and professional judgment when considering further application of this information, particularly as it may relate to patient diagnostic or treatment decisions including, without limitation, FDA-approved uses and any off-label, investigational and/or experimental uses.