Epilepsy Research UK announces Institute to advance research into condition

Brain Tumour Research

4 min read

Epilepsy Research UK is to establish a national research institute dedicated to radically advancing research into the condition.

George Freeman MP, Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation, unveiled the charity’s plans for an Epilepsy Research Institute UK. The Institute will serve as a central hub for the epilepsy research community, promoting collaboration between academia, the NHS, industry, funders, and patient organisations.

Professor Matthew Walker, Epilepsy Research UK Chair, said: “We know that we must do more for people living with epilepsy, but living a life free from epilepsy can only be achieved through research. Progress has been made in the areas of drug development, genetics and gene therapy, surgical interventions, and treatment trials, but there is much more to be done.

“The Epilepsy Research Institute UK will unite the epilepsy community in our collective ambition to stop epilepsy interrupting lives.”

The charity’s aim is to expedite innovations for people with epilepsy through increased strategic investment, capacity building, and research translation. The Institute will operationalise the Top Ten priorities of the UK Epilepsy Priority Setting Partnership and implement the research themes in development through the #Every1EndingEpilepsy programme.

Dr Karen Noble, our Director of Research, Policy and Innovation, said: “We congratulate our friends at Epilepsy Research UK on the announcement of this dedicated national research institute. Many brain tumour patients experience epileptic seizures and know the disruption these can cause. Seizures are common in patients with brain tumours and epilepsy can significantly impact patient quality of life.

“Funding further research into epilepsy will lead to a greater understanding of the condition, and can inform progress into the understanding of other neurological diseases such as brain tumours.”