Discovering diversity

Epilepsy is a multisystem disorder requiring a multisystem approach. The epilepsies, as currently understood, are diverging. Advances in genomic technology reveal the complex genetic architecture underlying common types of epilepsy and are driving a paradigm shift. Epilepsy is no longer viewed as a single condition, but rather as a collection of rare diseases with a shared predisposition to generate seizures as the common denominator. Comorbidities are increasingly recognised as important aetiological and prognostic markers.
Evidence arising from an individual’s genetic blueprint, improved understanding of epileptogenic processes, and the ability to predict brain paroxysms such as seizures will form an important part of the puzzle in developing effective therapeutic approaches. This may lead to the design of effective focal therapies for paroxysmal events when they are not adequately treated with simple medication, surgery, gene transfer, lesioning or stimulation. Our research priority into comorbidities and paroxysmal cerebral disorders (PaCD) stems from in-depth clinical and scientific collaboration between SEIN and LUMC. These disorders (headache, sleep disorders, epilepsy and syncope) are among the most common neurological conditions. Paroxysmal disorders overlap in their pathophysiological background, for example in how brain network functioning can suddenly become imbalanced, the release of specific neurotransmitters, genetic abnormalities, and the brain regions involved. Techniques used to model epilepsy can also be applied to modelling headache, and vice versa. Shared research helps to optimise the use of techniques and models.

Projects

Details of the projects included in this programme will be available here shortly.