Exploring the Future of Epilepsy Care: Michael Sperling, MD

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The 2025 American Epilepsy Society (AES) Annual Meeting, held December 5-9, in Atlanta, Georgia, brought together clinicians, researchers, and allied health professionals for a comprehensive, CE-accredited program dedicated to advancing epilepsy care and research. The meeting featured a slate of scientific sessions, clinical updates, and educational programming, primarily focusing on improving the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of epilepsy and seizure disorders across the lifespan. This year’s program emphasized innovation in epilepsy science, including advances in neuroimaging, genetics, biomarkers, and emerging therapeutic approaches, while highlighting the importance of translating research discoveries into clinical practice.

At the conference, several prominent clinicians working in epilepsy were honored with awards recognizing their contributions. Among them was Michael Sperling, MD, who received the 2025 Lifetime Achievement (Founders) Award for his sustained impact on epilepsy in both clinical and scientific arenas. Sperling, the Baldwin Keyes Professor of Neurology and vice chair for research at the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, has worked in the field for decades and was honored for his lasting influence on epilepsy care and research. His career-long experience has positioned him to offer insight into both the current landscape of epilepsy care and its future direction.

During the meeting, NeurologyLive® caught up with Sperling for an exclusive interview, where he shared his views on the current state of epilepsy care and expressed continued optimism about the advances on the horizon for patients. Throughout the conversation, he highlighted a wave of promising advances in diagnosis and treatment, including emerging technologies for seizure detection and prediction that could fundamentally change how clinicians monitor and manage patients. He also pointed to major strides in imaging, electrophysiology, and genetics, noting the rapid discovery of new genes and their potential to unlock novel therapies. Furthermore, he emphasized the therapeutic pipeline in epilepsy care, underscoring his belief that these innovations will lead to meaningful improvements in the years ahead.

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