A pioneering research project funded by the Epilepsy Research Institute and Angelini Pharma has been extended for an additional 16 months. This extension will enable Professor Mark Richardson and his team to advance their significant progress in identifying risk factors for drug-resistant epilepsy (also known as refractory epilepsy) using artificial intelligence (AI).
Refractory epilepsy, in which seizures persist despite medication, affects approximately one-third of individuals with epilepsy. Identifying predictors of this condition has been challenging due to limited sample sizes and data constraints in previous studies. To overcome this, a research team led by Professor Mark Richardson at King’s College London has developed advanced AI tools to analyse and annotate electronic health records (EHRs) from NHS hospitals.
The team has successfully annotated EHRs of 5,556 epilepsy patients from one large hospital and is preparing to analyse an additional 4,774 patient records from another hospital. This large-scale approach aims to uncover previously unidentified risk factors for refractory epilepsy by leveraging AI to process vast amounts of data efficiently.
The extension of the project will allow the researchers to expand their dataset further and refine their AI methodologies. By analysing up to 30,000 patient records across three London hospitals, the team expects to gain deeper insights into the predictors of refractory epilepsy, which could lead to novel prevention strategies and more personalised treatment plans for patients.
The Epilepsy Research Institute will continue to administer the grant, manage finances, and monitor progress throughout the extension period. This collaborative effort underscores the commitment to advancing epilepsy research through innovative technologies and large-scale data analysis.
Professor Richardson said, “By harnessing AI to analyse extensive EHR data, we aim to identify new risk factors for refractory epilepsy. This knowledge could ultimately lead to strategies that prevent the development of refractory epilepsy and improve outcomes for patients.”
Agnese Cattaneo, Angelini Pharma’s Global Chief Medical Officer, said, “One-third of people with epilepsy still experience seizures despite treatment, highlighting the urgent need for new insights. At Angelini Pharma, we are proud to support this AI-driven research to uncover key risk factors and advance personalised treatments. This extension brings us closer to transforming patient care.”
With the continued support of Angelini Pharma and the Institute, this project represents a significant step forward in understanding and addressing the challenges of refractory epilepsy.