This National Epilepsy Week, the Epilepsy Research Institute is proud to announce a new research investment of £1.39 million in 11 new projects, thanks to the continued commitment and generosity of our supporters.
Announced at yesterday’s Supporters’ Reception, these Emerging Leader Fellowships, co-funded PhD Studentships, Endeavour Project Grants and Explore Pilot Studies will drive new ways to understand, diagnose and treat epilepsy.
From artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced brain imaging to genetics,and personalised therapies, this work is reshaping how epilepsy is understood and treated, helping to drive progress towards more precise, effective and patient-centred care.
Note: please click on the researcher’s name to find out more about their project. You can view our whole research portfolio here.
Emerging Leader Fellowships
At University College London, Aswin Chari will explore how deep-brain stimulation can be tailored to the unique brain networks of children with drug-resistant epilepsy. By personalising this treatment approach, the project will aim to improve seizure control and increase access to therapies that could significantly improve quality of life.
Dr Jonathan Horsley at Newcastle University will use AI to identify subtle brain abnormalities that are often missed on conventional MRI scans. Improving the detection of seizure-causing regions will aim to support more accurate diagnoses and help more patients access potentially life-changing surgery.
Sam’s Superheroes Foundation PhD Studentship
Co-funded by the Epilepsy Research Institute and Sam’s Superheroes Foundation, this studentship will support work led by Dr Marios Kaliakatsos at University College London focused on NORSE (New-Onset Refractory Status Epilepticus), a rare and severe epilepsy syndrome.
The project will develop an international patient registry to improve understanding of long-term outcomes and support more personalised approaches to treatment and care.
Anatomical Society PhD Studentship
A second co-funded studentship, delivered in partnership with the Anatomical Society, will support Professor Chris Rodgers and Dr Thomas Cope at the University of Cambridge.
Their research will focus on enhancing ultra-high field MRI techniques to detect tiny brain abnormalities linked to epilepsy. The goal will be to help more patients access curative surgery while reducing the need for invasive diagnostic procedures.
Endeavour Project Grants
Researchers funded through the Endeavour Project Grants programme will tackle some of the biggest challenges in epilepsy diagnosis, monitoring and treatment.
At the University of Glasgow, Professor Andreas Brunklaus will investigate early indicators of severe genetic epilepsies, including Dravet syndrome. By combining EEG analysis, developmental assessments and blood biomarkers, the research will aim to improve monitoring and guide earlier interventions.
Professor Simon Keller at the University of Liverpool will examine how epilepsy affects brain health, cognition and mental wellbeing from the point of diagnosis onwards. His work will seek to better understand why outcomes differ between patients and improve prediction and treatment strategies.
At King’s College London, Dr Kimberley Whitehead will develop improved home EEG monitoring for children and young people. By integrating brain activity data with sleep and wider health information, the project will aim to make epilepsy diagnosis faster and more accurate.
Dr Amy McTague at University College London will investigate previously undetected genetic causes of focal epilepsy in children. Using enhanced sequencing and detection techniques, the research will aim to enable earlier diagnosis and more personalised treatment plans.
Explore Pilot Studies
A number of innovative pilot studies will also explore how emerging technologies could transform epilepsy care in the future.
At King’s College London, Dr Dominic Burrows will apply artificial intelligence to long-term EEG recordings in an effort to improve seizure prediction and reduce uncertainty for people living with epilepsy.
Dr Adam Jackson at the University of Manchester will investigate a newly identified genetic cause of epilepsy. Through patient registry data and laboratory studies, the project will aim to improve diagnosis and support the development of future therapies.
Finally, Dr Kate Hills at University College London will develop a gene therapy approach for tumour-related epilepsy. By restoring the brain’s ability to regulate excitability, this research could open the door to entirely new treatment pathways.
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Together, these projects demonstrate the breadth and ambition of epilepsy research taking place across the UK today. By bringing together expertise in AI, genetics, imaging and clinical care, researchers are moving closer to earlier diagnosis, more effective treatments and better outcomes for people affected by epilepsy.
This progress is only possible thanks to the continued support of funders, partners and the epilepsy community, helping bring us closer to a future free from epilepsy.
If you are able to, please consider making a donation to support vital research this National Epilepsy Week.