Epilepsy Discovery Project showing early results

Researchers involved in the Epilepsy Discovery Project funded by the Ontario Brain Institute (OBI) have reported progress in a number of significant areas. On November 10 and 11th, scientists and supporters gathered in Hamilton to share findings.

The OBI Epilepsy Discovery Project was launched in March 2012 and involves research into new medications, diets and brain stimulation among other initiatives. Its goals are to discover new treatments and therapies for people affected by epilepsy. A reapplication for new funding is expected to be made by the researchers in early 2013.

 Gary Collins, Executive Director Epilepsy Canada was excited about the reported progress.  He commented, "The updates at this conference are encouraging for everyone looking for new treatments to help those living with epilepsy. Epilepsy Canada will do all it can to assist OBI meet its 2013 funding goal."
Three of the reported highlights from the conference are -

• Studies with animals are showing omega-3 fish oils are elevating seizure threshold. Because omega-3 fish oils are a food additive, not a medication, development of food additives for human consumption can happen quickly. By comparison the development process for pharmaceuticals can take up to 10 years. Researchers are looking to add omega-3 fish oil to people's normal diets, with the anticipation that seizure numbers will be reduced after three months.

• A study at McMaster University is researching the benefits of exercise for children living with epilepsy.  The study, led by Dr. Gabriel Ronen is monitoring a group of children with epilepsy who are involved in a walking program and comparing their seizure numbers to children with epilepsy who are not participating in regular exercise.

• New findings about why ketogenic diets can be effective in the treatment of drug resistant epilepsy were reported. People on ketogenic diets, which favour foods low in carbohydrates and high in protein, have been found to have elevated acetone levels in their bloodstream.  Acetone analogues are being tested in animals and preliminary results indicate some of the acetone analogues are anticonvulsant.

Dr. McIntyre Burnham, President of Epilepsy Canada, Director of the University of Toronto Epilepsy Research Program and co-director of the OBI-Epilepsy Discovery Project said, "At the end of our second quarter everybody was on track toward meeting their milestones, and we're pretty happy about that."