Research Report 2012

Young Epilepsy drives research into the full spectrum of childhood epilepsy, including its causes, treatments, and effects. We’re committed to ensuring the best outcomes for children and young people, and we recognise that research is the most powerful tool to make that happen.

At Young Epilepsy, we are proud to lead collaborative research with UCL Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital, focusing on improving outcomes for children and young people with epilepsy. In 2012, our research programme continued to grow, with new studies launched, major publications released, and significant funding secured.

We work across three main workstreams:

  1. Understanding Childhood Epilepsy
  2. Outstanding Treatment
  3. Outstanding Support

Strategic Goals

Our research is guided by five core objectives:

  • Understanding causes of epilepsy through genetic, neuroimaging, and neurophysiological studies.
  • Exploring developmental and behavioural impacts, including comorbidities and long-term outcomes.
  • Evaluating early interventions such as surgery, medication, and educational support.
  • Reducing the burden of epilepsy on families and services through behavioural and rehabilitative programmes.
  • Building research capacity by supporting training, collaboration, and career development.

Key Research Projects

  • EpiPEG: Investigating epilepsy in infants under 12 months to improve diagnosis and treatment pathways.
  • CHESS Study: Identifying learning and behavioural difficulties in school-aged children with epilepsy.
  • Ketogenic Diet Research: Exploring genetic predictors of treatment response and biochemical mechanisms.
  • Sleep and Memory: Studying how sleep affects learning in children with focal epilepsy.
  • Rasmussen Encephalitis: Mapping prevalence and treatment outcomes across the UK.
  • Epileptic Encephalopathy Genetics: Discovering new genes linked to severe early-onset epilepsy.
  • EEG-fMRI Studies: Enhancing presurgical evaluation and understanding brain networks in epilepsy.

Impact and Collaboration

  • Secured over £919,000 in new research funding.
  • Published 49 peer-reviewed articles and 30 expert commentaries.
  • Hosted the 3rd Annual Epilepsy Research Retreat, bringing together over 80 researchers from the UK and internationally.
  • Contributed to national and international epilepsy guidelines, educational resources, and clinical practice improvements.

Looking Ahead

We aim to expand our focus on educational interventions, continue pioneering genetic and neuroimaging research, and strengthen our multidisciplinary network. Our goal remains clear: to build better futures for young lives with epilepsy through evidence-based care, innovation, and collaboration.