Tracking brain, cognitive, and mental health from the time that epilepsy is first diagnosed
Endeavour Project Grant
£174,830.20
Professor Simon Keller
University of Liverpool
Most of our understanding of how epilepsy affects the brain comes from studies of people who have had uncontrolled seizures for many years. Research using brain scans and memory and thinking assessments has shown, for example, that seizures arising from the temporal lobe can lead to scarring and shrinkage in this area of the brain, contributing to problems with memory and cognition. However, little is known about how the brain is affected at the time epilepsy is first diagnosed, how seizures may change the brain over time, or why some people respond well to medication while others continue to have seizures and develop cognitive difficulties.
"We shouldn’t have to wait until a person has had uncontrolled epilepsy for many years to perform detailed analysis of brain function and brain health. Our vision is to look at what’s happening as soon as epilepsy is diagnosed and follow patients through their journey.
This study will use advanced brain imaging alongside detailed assessments of memory, thinking, and mood in people with newly diagnosed epilepsy. Participants who have already completed these tests at diagnosis will undergo repeat assessments several years later, allowing researchers to track changes in brain health and function over time. By studying epilepsy from its earliest stages, the project aims to identify factors linked to treatment response, cognitive outcomes, and long-term brain health. The study also includes strong patient and public involvement, with findings shared widely through podcasts, charities, social media, and patient-led engagement activities.
This will be the first study to follow people from the point of epilepsy diagnosis using state-of-the-art imaging and cognitive testing over time. The findings could improve understanding of how epilepsy develops and why outcomes differ between individuals. In the future, this research may help doctors predict which patients are less likely to respond to medication, support earlier and more personalised treatment decisions, and improve long-term outcomes for people living with epilepsy.
