What is your research lab exploring?
Our lab focuses on developing and refining technology to enhance the detection and study of seizures and spreading depolarisation (SD) in epilepsy. We’re also researching advanced therapeutic interventions for refractory epilepsy, exploring gene therapy and neuromodulation as promising treatment pathways. Recently, we’ve been working with graphene-based transistor arrays to investigate the impact of seizure-associated spreading depolarisations in epilepsy.
What are spreading depolarisations (SDs)?
Spreading depolarisations (SDs) are slow-moving waves of neuron and glial cell activation that require a lot of energy. These events have mainly been studied in migraines, where they cause auras and increase sensitivity to pain. SDs are also linked to poor outcomes in stroke or traumatic brain injury.
In epilepsy, SDs can occur in affected brain tissue, either independently or alongside seizures. Research suggests that SDs may play a role in Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) by inhibiting respiration in the post-seizure period. However, traditional electrophysiology approaches have not always been able to detect SDs, leaving much of their impact on epilepsy-related deaths unexplored.
Have there been any interesting findings to come out of your work so far?
As a partner of the European Union Graphene Flagship Programme, we have collaborated with engineers in Barcelona to develop a new way to record brain activity. These devices use graphene micro-transistor arrays that enable precise recordings of seizures and SDs concurrently with unprecedented fidelity.
Our findings suggest that SDs prolong and increase the severity of the post-seizure period. Although more research is required, these initial results suggest that SDs may contribute to post-seizure immobility, confusion, loss of arousal and potentially headache.
What do you hope this research will achieve for people affected by epilepsy?
Our next step is to gather clinical data on SDs and their impact on the post-seizure period. A project funded by the Epilepsy Research Institute has provided specialised clinical recording equipment (a DC-coupled amplifier), which our collaborator Professor Beate Diehl is using to investigate infraslow brain signals. This includes SD in patients undergoing long-term monitoring at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery.
Through further research in this area, we hope to better understand the impact of SD in epilepsy and develop treatments that not only target seizures, but also SD’s. This has the potential to reduce epilepsy-related morbidity and mortality.
Alongside your research lab, you’re also involved with the Institute’s Mortality, Morbidity & Risk theme. What is the team currently working on?
Together with my co-leads, we have been developing the theme’s key ambitions and priority investment areas. Recently, we also hosted a SUDEP workshop at the Epilepsy Research Institute offices, gathering leading researchers, clinicians, charity representatives, and individuals with personal experiences of epilepsy and SUDEP. This collaborative event aimed to identify and address gaps in lab-based and clinical research. You can read more about the event here.
You can also learn more about Dr Wykes and his research team at WykesNeuroLab.com or on X (formerly Twitter) at @LabWykes
Earlier this year Dr Wykes was part of a team awarded an Epilepsy Research Institute Doctoral Training Centre at the University of Manchester and Liverpool University (Leads Dr Rebecca Bromley and Professor Simon Keller). This programme will fund seven PhD students to work on specific projects under the broader theme of ‘Cognition in people with epilepsy and their offspring: delineating impact and mechanisms of the disease and its treatment across the lifespan’.
