Third Judith Hoyer Lecture Attracts Largest Audience Yet

By Adam Modzelesky
EpilepsyUSA staff
Posted: March 28, 2006

Before a capacity crowd of more than 300 men and women in the epilepsy community, Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) kicked off the third Judith Hoyer Lecture in Epilepsy which took place at the 59 th annual meeting of the American Epilepsy Society in Washington, D.C.

Judith Hoyer, who once served on the Epilepsy Foundation's board of directors, was committed to improving the quality of life of her fellow Americans who had epilepsy, and helped promote research into finding a cure. Rep. Hoyer, the U.S. House of Representative's democratic whip, was always equally committed to his wife's mission. This is evidenced by the fact that despite her untimely passing in 1997, Hoyer continued her legacy by becoming a champion of epilepsy in Congress and eventually establishing a program at the Health Resources Service Administration to help children with epilepsy in rural and underserved communities.

"This is my second time speaking at the Judith Hoyer Lecture, and I know that if she was looking down right now she'd be smiling at the sight of all these people who've shown up in support of epilepsy," Hoyer said.

Hoyer continued by praising his wife's dedication for epilepsy advocacy and her optimism for future advancements. According to him, she always focused on the positive. She didn't allow herself to focus on what couldn't be done, but what could be done. She said epilepsy was a fact of life, but not a disabling fact of life.

The Judith Hoyer Lecture in Epilepsy series was established by Congress to honor her memory and service, as well as raise awareness of epilepsy among researchers and the public by providing intellectual stimulation to encourage continuing progress toward finding a cure. Each year the lecture centers on the latest in research, as well as what treatments might be on the horizon. The series is sponsored by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

This year's lecturer was Jeffery L. Noebels, M.D., Ph.D, of Baylor University's School of Medicine. Noebels's lecture focused on how recent advances in basic science and technology are rapidly changing the way researchers think of epilepsy's manifestation in people, when the precise causes can be pinpointed in the brain and how doctors can more accurately personalize treatment for every patient.

According to Noebels, it is now possible to envision repairing brain cells to stop the seizures, and preventing the appearance of epilepsy by early intervention. He also explained that by redoubling the scientific investment in the biology of brain disorders over the next decade, scientists and doctors will be able to sharpen the tools necessary for dramatically improving the care of tomorrow's child.

The lecture also featured a panel providing information regarding genetic counseling. Panel participants were Wendy Uhlmann, MS, CGC, of the University of Michigan, and Suellen Hopfer, a graduate student at Penn State University.