The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) official continuing medical education journal, Continuum: Lifelong Learning in Neurology®, has referenced research conducted by University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) neurologists and former medical students in its February 2025 epilepsy-focused issue. This national recognition underscores the impact of Hawaiʻi-based research on the understanding and diagnosis of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) .
Continuum®: A Leading CME Journal in Neurology
Continuum: Lifelong Learning in Neurology® is the official CME journal of the American Academy of Neurology and one of the most widely read neurology journals worldwide. Published every two months, each issue delivers comprehensive, evidence-based reviews centered on a single neurological topic, serving practicing neurologists, residents, fellows, and medical students globally .
The February 2025 issue, dedicated to epilepsy, featured a review article titled “A Multidisciplinary Approach to Nonepileptic Events,” which referenced research originating from Hawaiʻi.
University of Hawaiʻi Research Recognized Nationally
The Continuum epilepsy review cited a peer-reviewed study conducted at the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center and Video-EEG Monitoring Unit in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, authored by former University of Hawaiʻi medical students Rachel Gorenflo, Richard Ho, Arash Ghaffari-Rafi, along with neurologists Enrique Carrazana, MD, and Kore Kai Liow, MD .
Referenced Study
Improving Recognition of Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures
Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures can closely resemble epileptic seizures, often leading to delayed diagnosis and inappropriate treatment. The referenced study examined risk factors and clinical characteristics that may help clinicians distinguish PNES from epilepsy more effectively.
Key observations highlighted that:
- Lower socioeconomic status may be associated with increased PNES risk
- Psychiatric and medical comorbidities are common in PNES populations
- PNES may affect sex and racial groups differently, particularly in a diverse state such as Hawaiʻi
These findings emphasize the importance of early diagnostic consideration and timely referral for appropriate evaluation, including video-EEG monitoring.
The Importance of a Multidisciplinary Approach
The Continuum review emphasized a multidisciplinary framework for evaluating and managing nonepileptic events, integrating neurology, psychiatry, psychology, and social determinants of health. The inclusion of Hawaiʻi-based research reinforces the value of population-specific studies in shaping broader clinical perspectives.
Academic Impact and Ongoing Contributions
Recognition in AAN Continuum® reflects the meaningful contributions of University of Hawaiʻi JABSOM faculty and trainees to epilepsy research and neurology education. It also highlights the role of academic medical centers in mentoring medical students through impactful clinical research that informs national practice guidelines.
