“We’re hoping that by doing this large screening of CSF in patients with epilepsy, we will be able to discover novel proteins that might, in future, be amenable to therapeutic targets that might help improve the rates of drug resistance.``
Watch the full interview with Dr Tracie Tan below.
Project Summary:
Epilepsy affects over 150,000 Australians and costs the economy an estimated $12.3 billion annually. About one third of patients continue to have seizures despite multiple medications. These ongoing seizures are dangerous, can cause injury or death, and significantly impact patients’ ability to work, drive, and maintain independence. Despite many new antiseizure medications over the past 30 years, rates of drug-resistant epilepsy remain largely unchanged, highlighting the need for novel, disease-modifying treatments.
Neuroinflammation appears to play a key role across different types and causes of epilepsy. Corticosteroids can reduce inflammation and seizure frequency, but are not suitable for long-term use due to side effects. More targeted therapies are needed, which requires understanding the proteins and pathways driving drug resistance.
This project will use a cutting-edge proteomics technique, SomaScan®, to measure nearly 2,000 inflammation- and brain-related proteins in cerebrospinal fluid, which reflects brain processes. We will explore how these proteins interact and correlate with seizure severity and clinical findings. Specifically, we aim to identify which proteins are altered in drug-resistant epilepsy, how they relate to disease severity, and how protein networks contribute to ongoing seizures.
By uncovering key proteins and functional networks, this research could identify new therapeutic targets, supporting the development of safer, more effective treatments. Ultimately, the work could improve seizure control, reduce therapy side effects, and enhance quality of life for people living with drug-resistant epilepsy.
The Brain Foundation is dedicated to funding the next generation of Australian research into brain disorders, diseases, and injuries, with the ultimate goal of advancing diagnoses, treatments, and patient outcomes.