Dr. Theodore Schwartz and five colleagues in the U.K. at the University of Sheffield and the University of Reading have been awarded a $200,000 grant for their work investigating how epileptic seizures propagate. The grant, from Epilepsy Research UK, was awarded to Dr. Jason Berwick, Dr. Samuel Harris, Dr. Ying Zheng, Dr. Paul Overton, Dr. Aneurin James Kennerley, and Dr. Schwartz for “How activation of sensory regions can promote propagation of adjacent focal neocortical seizures.”
This transatlantic collaboration will extend previous research that Dr. Schwartz and his partners have done into factors that propagate or inhibit seizure activity. Little is known yet about how or why a seizure that starts in one small part of the brain can spread so quickly to other areas, and why certain parts of the brain appear unable to prevent seizures from intruding. Prior research suggests that sensory stimulation may weaken the inhibitory response that should prevent a seizure from spreading. In this project, researchers will use a rat model to test the effects of sensory stimulation on the spread of epileptic seizures. Results may lead to clinical trials to find ways to help those who suffer from seizures that are not controlled with existing medications.
