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Institute of Child Health, University College London and Great Ormond Street Hospital
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Epilepsy
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£147,840 for 12 months
Although epilepsy affects children of all ages, young children are more likely to be severely affected and the condition can have a devastating impact on their lives. Professor Helen Cross and her team at the Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital hope to identify causes of different types of epilepsy in very young children in order to develop more effective treatments.
Current situation
Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder in childhood, affecting one in 200 children in the UK. Children with epilepsy have recurrent seizures which happen when the brain’s normal electrical activity is disrupted. There are different types of epilepsy and they can have different causes. The impact on the developing brain ranges from very mild learning disabilities and behavioural problems through to severe neurodevelopmental delays where the growth and maturation of the nervous system is affected.
Usually children who present with seizures in the first year of life have a very poor prognosis for either seizure control or neurodevelopment outcome. Access to detailed information on the different types and causes of epilepsy is not currently available to clinicians leading to misdiagnosis and poor management of epilepsy in these patients.
How this research project will help
This project aims to determine the causes of poor neurodevelopmental outcome in early onset epilepsy and identify which treatments are most effective. The team, led by Professor Cross, will investigate how the genetic makeup of young children with epilepsy affects the development of the brain. They will also build on the understanding of the different physical symptoms of a particular type of epilepsy and track which treatments produce the best results.
To ensure the continuation of the project, the team will develop a national database where medical practitioners can record data from their patients and the outcome of treatments. It is hoped that this research and the sustainable database, used nationwide, will positively impact thousands of lives.
With the help of Sparks’ support, the team hope to improve developmental outcome and seizure control in young children with epilepsy.
You can make a difference
Anyone can support Sparks and our vital research. By donating to us monthly, attending one of our events or taking up a challenge, your money will help our researchers find more cures and treatments for children. Get involved today.