Epilepsy: from genes to cures for the sacred disease?
Speaker
Professor Samuel F Berkovic, Epilepsy Research Centre, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Heidelberg VIC
Description
Epilepsy is an ancient condition shrouded in misunderstanding, superstition and stigma. Understanding the basic causes is challenging. Whilst epilepsy may be a consequence of an acquired insult including trauma, stroke, and brain tumours, the genetic component to epilepsies has been under-estimated. Considerable progress has recently occurred in the understanding of epilepsy genetics, both at a clinical genetic level and in the basic science of epilepsies.
The evidence for genetic components will be first briefly discussed including data from population studies, twin analyses and multiplex family studies. Research in simple systems, and using animal models with mutant ion channel subunits observed in humans, is revealing mechanistic insights at cellular, network and whole animal levels. Examples will be given as to how discoveries beginning with clinical research in patient populations leads to molecular genetic discoveries with subsequent unravelling of pathophysiology that informs clinical care and provides a realistic pathway to new treatments tailored to the individual.
About Neuroscience Seminars
Neuroscience seminars at the QBI play a major role in the advancement of neuroscience in the Asia-Pacific region. The primary goal of these seminars is to promote excellence in neuroscience through the exchange of ideas, establishing new collaborations and augmenting partnerships already in place.
Seminars in the QBI Auditorium are held on Wednesdays at 12-1pm, which are sometimes simulcast on Zoom (with approval from the speaker). We also occassionally hold seminars from international speakers via Zoom. The days and times of these seminars will vary depending on the time zone of the speaker. Please see each seminar listed below for details.
