Welcome Message

I am greatly honored to host the 10th Azalea Festival symposium, which is the International Symposium on the Molecular Pathomechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies of Rare and Intractable Epilepsies and shall be held at Medical Hall of Fukuoka University Hospital, Japan on March 27 – 29, 2026.

The Azalea Festival Symposium has been held annually since 2017 at National Taiwan University, coinciding with the Azalea Festival when azaleas bloom in Taiwan. Its primary focus has been on research and treatment development for intractable pediatric neurological disorders. Over the years, many domestic and international experts have gathered at this symposium to present their latest research findings and discuss prospects for clinical applications.

As we approach the 10th anniversary, it has been decided to hold the event outside of Taiwan for the first time, with Fukuoka, Japan, chosen as the commemorative venue. Japan plays a globally significant role in molecular pathology and genetic research, with its studies on rare intractable epilepsies receiving high acclaim both domestically and internationally. This symposium will invite renowned researchers and clinicians from around the world to share cutting-edge insights under the theme "The Molecular Pathomechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies of Rare and Intractable Epilepsies" a first for the Azalea Festival Symposium.

Epilepsy is the second most common neurological disorder after headaches and has recently gained public attention through traffic accidents and other incidents. However, 30% of epilepsy cases are resistant to multiple anti-epileptic drugs and are classified as intractable epilepsy. In particular, designated rare intractable epilepsies are the most severe, with virtually no effective treatments. They not only cause severe delays in mental and motor development but can also be life-threatening. As a result, the burden on patients and their families is immeasurable.

Nevertheless, the advent of next-generation sequencing, an innovative technology in molecular biology research, has enabled the identification of genetic abnormalities in intractable epilepsies, including designated rare diseases, over the past decade. This has finally made treatment research possible. Consequently, there has been a strong demand for a symposium where researchers from around the world can gather to discuss genetic research on rare intractable epilepsies and related treatment studies. We are confident that this 10th Azalea Festival Symposium will be a milestone in the history of research on elucidating the pathophysiology and treatment strategies for rare intractable epilepsies.

Additionally, to deepen the understanding of patients and their families, we will hold a public lecture to communicate research findings in an accessible manner. Furthermore, we will introduce poster presentations and a travel grant system aimed at nurturing young researchers, creating an environment where a new generation of scientists can contribute to this field.

Through this symposium, we aim to accelerate research, promote treatment development, and bring hope to patients suffering from rare intractable epilepsies and their families. We sincerely request your participation and support.