March 23 - March 24, 2012
Aim of the symposium
While dietary restriction of phenylalanine still remains the mainstay of treatment, phenylketonuria (PKU) is an active area of research, and new treatment options are emerging that may reduce the burden of a difficult and limiting diet in these patients and in their families. Basic and clinical research is now focusing on the mechanisms of action of new treatment options, like sapropterin dihydrochloride (also BH4), on monoamine neurotransmitters metabolism in the brain of PKU patients.
Furthermore there is an emerging need for evidence-based international guidelines to provide standardization in treatment initiation, in evaluation of the response to therapy with sapropterin dihydrochloride, and in blood phenylalanine concentration to target. A number of papers resulting from last year’s symposium reviewed the existing scientific evidences in several aspects of PKU, identifying the current positions in its management.
The European Phenylketonuria Group (EPG) and the Serono Symposia International Foundation (SSIF) consider it essential to continue their series of successful meetings on PKU, and have organized the 2012 Annual Symposium dedicated to that. The aims of this meeting are to review the most important outcomes of research in the field of PKU and to provide a forum for participants to discuss solutions that can optimize patient management in clinical practice.
Learning objectives
After attending this symposium, the participants will have up-to-date knowledge about:
- Brain pathology of PKU
- Blood-brain barrier and PKU
- CNS neurotransmitters in PKU
- Management of BH4 deficiency
- Social and financial management of PKU
- Amino acid status in PKU
Target audience
Specialists in pediatric and adult inherited metabolic diseases, dietitians, nutritionists, clinical biochemists, experts in genetics, basic scientists, and professionals within the area of public health will benefit from this symposium.
Call for abstracts
The Scientific Committee invites the submission of abstracts to be considered for oral/poster presentation. Please see this page for further information.
More Information
Find out more about this meeting by using the links in the menu to the right of this page or
Learning Effectiveness Project
Serono Symposia International Foundation is conducting a Learning effectiveness project at selected meetings during 2011. The meeting 4th European Phenylketonuria Group (EPG) Symposium: Advances and Challenges in PKU has been chosen to participate in this project.
Find out more about the Learning effectiveness project
Serono Symposia International Foundation (www.seronosymposia.org) is accredited by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME®) to provide the following CME activity for medical specialists. The EACCME® is an institution of the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS), www.uems.net
The conference 4th European Phenylketonuria Group (EPG) Symposium “Advances and Challenges in PKU” (March 23-24, 2012 - Rome, Italy) is designated for a maximum of 8 (eight) hours of European CME credits (ECMEC). Each medical specialist should claim only those credits that he/she actually spent in the educational activity. EACCME® credits are recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA) towards the Physician's Recognition Award (PRA). To convert EACCME® credit to AMA PRA category 1 credit, please contact the AMA.
This program 4th European Phenylketonuria Group (EPG) Symposium “Advances and Challenges in PKU” (March 23-24, 2012 - Rome, Italy) has been submitted for CME accreditation from the Italian Ministry of Health (Ref. n. 12000620 - Medico chirurgo; Ref. n. 12000621 - Dietista
