Funding research into the biology of epilepsy is essential. The more we understand about the underlying mechanisms of the condition, the better equipped researchers are to develop new treatments, therapies, and diagnostic tools. Researchers continue to uncover new aspects of epilepsy, and each discovery contributes to progress across the field.
Due to the complexity of the brain and the considerable diversity of epilepsy between individuals, there is a continuing need for research into the molecular and cellular processes that drive the condition.
Reflecting the diverse nature of epilepsy, funded projects have examined a wide range of topics, from rare epilepsy-related conditions such as Dravet syndrome, CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder (CDD), and Autoimmune Encephalitis to possible genetic and circadian factors that might influence epilepsy.
These insights are fundamental to improving outcomes for people living with epilepsy. The following research projects have been funded through Epilepsy Ireland to advance our understanding of epilepsy at the molecular level. The projects are divided into ongoing studies and those that have been completed. Click on the title of each project to find more information on that individual investigation.
Ongoing Projects
- Project: CONTACTS: Characterizing Epilepsy Outcomes via Neurophysiological and Transcriptomic Analysis of stereoEEG Contacts
- Who? Professor David Henshall; RCSI
- Years funded: 2026-2030
- Project: miR-CDD: Molecular mechanisms, therapeutic targets and biomarkers for CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder (CDD)
- Who? Erva Ghani, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (Academic Supervisor: Dr. Omar Mamad. Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland)
- Years funded: 2022-2026
Completed Projects
- Project: Long non-coding RNAs: regulators of epileptogenesis and potential targets for therapy
- Who? Prof Gary Brennan, School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin
- Years funded: 2022-2025
- Project: Predicting and monitoring outcomes in Autoimmune Encephalitis (POTA)
- Who? Prof Norman Delanty, Consultant Neurologist and Director, Epilepsy Service, Beaumont Hospital & Honorary Clinical Associate Professor, RCSI.
- Years funded: 2022-2025
- Project: Circadian biomarkers in pre-clinical and clinical Dravet Syndrome
- Who? Radharani Benvenutti, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (Academic Supervisor: Dr Cristina Ruedell Reschke, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland)
- Years funded: 2022-2024
- Project: The microbiome as an environmental trigger for autoimmune epilepsy
- Who? Dr. Gianpiero Cavalleri; RCSI;
- Years funded: 2018 – 2021
- Project: MicroRNAs in the mechanism of ketogenic diet therapies and as biomarkers in paediatric epilepsy
- Who? Prof David Henshall; RCSI;
- Years funded: 2016 – 2019
- Project: Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis of hippocampus from patients with pharmacoresistant temporal lobe epilepsy
- Who? Prof David Henshall; RCSI
- Years funded: 2012 -2013
- Project: Heritability of cognitive endophenotypes in temporal lobe epilepsy
- Who? Dr Teresa Burke; University College Dublin
- Years funded: 2010 – 2011