Epilepsy Basic Research

Basic Research Overview

The goal of our basic epilepsy research projects is to understand on a fundamental level what causes and what stops seizures. Major advances have been made by our laboratories in understanding the chemical, electrical, and structural changes crucial for seizure generation. These results have direct clinical applications towards finding a cure for epilepsy. Ongoing projects are listed below. Please consider joining our effort by making a gift to support epilepsy research today!

Molecular and Neuropathological Studies of Human Seizure foci

Our research investigates the organization and biology of hippocampal seizure foci from patients with medically intractable temporal lobe epilepsy and epileptogenic cortical tubers from patients with Tuberous Sclerosis using state of the molecular neuroanatomical techniques, DNA microarray analysis and proteomics. The laboratory is also engaged in developing animal models of temporal lobe epilepsy, studying their seizures with state-of-the-art continuous digital video-EEG for translational research.

Contact: Nihal deLanerolle, PhD

Neuroimaging and physiology of generalized seizures in animal models

Are “generalized” seizures truly generalized? Our work using high field (9.4-11.7T) fMRI and electrophysiology recordings from animal models suggests that so called generalized seizures, in fact, involve specific cortical and subcortical networks most intensely, while sparing others. Identification of specific seizure networks has allowed us to identify molecular changes, such as altered sodium channel expression, causing epilepsy these networks. This has important implications for understanding the mechanisms by which seizures are generated in specific regions of the brain, and can help develop targeted therapies with better efficacy and fewer side effects.

Contact: Hal Blumenfeld, MD, PhD

Sodium Channels in Epilepsy

Sodium channels are crucial for the normal electrical activity of the brain, and subtle alterations in sodium channels can cause enhanced excitability and epilepsy. We are studying the role of altered sodium channel expression in animal models of both partial and generalized seizures using in vivo and in vitro electrophysiology recordings and molecular techniques.

Contact: Hal Blumenfeld, MD, PhD

Epilepsy Prevention

Recent studies in animal models of genetic epilepsy have shown that treatment during certain critical stages of development may be capable of preventing life-long epilepsy and its consequences. Further work is being done to determine if similar treatment strategies can be applied to prevent human epilepsy before it even begins.

Contacts: Hal Blumenfeld, MD, PhD

Other links:

Early Treatment Prevents Full-blown Epilepsy in Animals
Epilepsy Drugs Saves Rats from Seizures, NatureNEWS, 2008, online

Yale Epilepsy Basic Science Research Faculty

Kevin L. Behar, PhD
Hal Blumenfeld, MD, PhD
Angelique Bordey, PhD
Nihal deLanerolle, PhD
David McCormick, PhD
George Richerson, MD, PhD
Anne Williamson, PhD