Project Summary:
The epilepsies are a heterogeneous group of disorders, some inherited and some acquired. The pathogenesis of acquired epilepsies is likely to involve environmental factors and genetic susceptibility. This study forms part of a cluster of projects examining genetic influences on acquired epilepsies. These projects will test the hypothesis that variations in the immune/inflammatory response determine whether or not a patient will subsequently develop epilepsy following cerebral insult such as head injury or childhood febrile seizures. Variations in human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing have been shown in a Turkish study to correlate with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, and the Brain Foundation grant will allow similar testing to be performed on a larger scale in an ethnically different population.
The Brain Foundation is the largest, independent funder of brain and spinal injury research in Australia. We believe research is the pathway to recovery.