From Seizures to Syndromes: The 2025 ILAE Operational Classifications and Their Clinical Impact

This presentation provides a comprehensive review of the 2025 ILAE updates to both the classification of epileptic seizures and epilepsy syndromes. The session will cover the taxonomic framework for seizure classification- including the use of consciousness as a classifier, the distinction between observable and nonobservable seizure types, and the incorporation of newly recognized entities- as well as the updated approach to syndrome diagnosis across the lifespan. Emphasis will be placed on practical application in clinical care, with case-based examples illustrating how accurate seizure and syndrome classification inform etiology-driven diagnosis, therapeutic choices, and prognostic counseling. Considerations for use in resource-limited settings, research, and policy development will also be discussed.