Epilepsy Research UK - June 2008 e-newsletter

Epilepsy Research UK - funding independent research into epilepsy

Email newsletter - June 2008

Visit us at www.epilepsyresearch.org.uk

The latest edition of Epilepsy Research UK's email newsletter is a special grants issue. This year, Epilepsy Research UK has awarded £824,906 in nine grants to research teams across the UK. These grants include two fellowships and seven projects. These awards are the culmination of a great first year for the new merged charity. We hope this is an indicator of growth to come as we work to make epilepsy a priority for healthcare providers and medical research funders.


		Using brain scans to locate memory function in the brain Two research teams are looking at using different types of brain scan to locate memory function in people with epilepsy being prepared for surgery. Professor Mark Richardson's group at King's College London will compare three ways of using functional MRI, and Dr Steven Kemp from St James' University Hospital in Leeds will be evaluating the combination of functional MRI with magnetoencephalography.


		Causes of epilepsy Dr Bethan Lang of the University of Oxford will ask are some types of epilepsy forms of autoimmune disease?


		Psychological aspects of epilepsy Cognitive behaviour therapy for epilepsy will be developed by Dr Laura Goldstein and colleagues at King's College London, Maudsley Hospital and King's College Hospital. Professor Mike Kerr from the Welsh Centre for Learning Disabilities at Cardiff University will look at how to improve treatment for epilepsy at GP level by screening for depression.


		Changes in ion channels in brain cells where seizures start Professor Annette Dolphin at University College London will investigate changes in cell structure in the part of the brain where seizures start, focusing particularly on the role of a particular subunit in calcium ion channels.


		Absence seizures Dr David Cope of Cardiff University won the first Epilepsy Research UK Fellowship for his work on understanding the mechanisms behind absence seizures. A genetic study pinpointing the gene behind childhood absence epilepsy will be carried out by Dr Kate Everett of the Institute of Child Health, London.


		How seizures start The eighth Sir Desmond Pond Fellowship has been awarded to Dr Premysl Jiruska of the University of Birmingham, who is looking at electrical activity in the first stages of a seizure.


		Research evening: ketogenic diet and psychological effects of epilepsy Come to an evening of information about epilepsy research in Dundee on Wednesday 9 July at 7 pm. Professors Helen Cross and Gus Baker are speaking. Find out more and book your place here


		Support us every time you shop online with anolivebranch.co.uk anolivebranch.co.uk is a new website that allows you to buy popular products whilst making a donation to Epilepsy Research UK with every purchase. Start shopping


		Calling all 5K runners Take part in one of the Big Fun Runs - in Cardiff, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Derby or Milton Keynes - and raise money for Epilepsy Research UK. Sign up here


		A better future All these new research grants were funded by donations from people like you. Find out how you can help us make important advances in epilepsy research.

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	In this issue
>	Brain scans of memory
>	Causes of epilepsy
>	Psychological effects of epilepsy
>	Ion channel changes
>	Absence seizures
>	How seizures start
>	Research evening invitation
>	Shop online
>	Calling all 5k runners
>	Support epilepsy research

>	Read previous newsletter
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Epilepsy Research UK, PO Box 3004, London W4 4XT
Tel: (+44) (0) 20 8995 4781 • Fax: (+44) (0) 870 838 1069 • Registered Charity No. 1100394.
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