Scientists in Ireland are hoping to identify new genetic targets to control childhood epilepsies that do not respond to existing therapies.

Epilepsy is characterised by recurring seizures, which are caused by excess electrical activity in the brain. An estimated 2,000 children in Ireland with epilepsy are resistant to current treatments. This means that they may be having numerous, uncontrolled seizures every day.

Over a long period, this can have a major impact on cognitive abilities.

In an attempt to discover potential new treatments, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) has partnered with the pharmaceutical company, F. Hoffman-La Roche Ltd, to try to identify new gene targets to control some of the epilepsies that do not currently respond to treatment.

The partnership aims to build on recent breakthroughs, which have led to a better understanding of how gene activity is controlled in the brain. This ultimately determines how signals are sent and received by neurons, the excitable cells in the brain, and explains why some areas of the brain suddenly fire altogether causing a seizure.

"We are excited by the potential of this collaboration to advance our treatment options for children with currently untreatable epilepsy. Our research aims to identify new biological targets that modify brain excitability and understand how these may be altered in children with difficult-to-control seizures. By joining up we can design and test new experimental therapies targeting these molecules," explained Prof David Henshall of the RCSI.

Speaking about the new three-year partnership. Epilepsy Ireland CEO, Peter Murphy pointed out that epilpesy is ‘the most prevalent serious neurological condition in childhood, affecting up to 1% of children'.

He said that uncontrolled epilepsy can have a huge impact on the education and social life of affected children and their families.

"Despite the wide range of treatments we have today, 30% of people with epilepsy continue to have seizures. As a result, there is a major need for new therapies that will target seizures in a different way to existing drugs, which don't work for everyone.

"The opportunities presented by a better understanding of epilepsy at a genetic and molecular level offer great hope for the future, especially for those with rare and severe forms of treatment-resistant epilepsy," Mr Murphy commented.

For more information on Epilepsy Ireland, click here