Project description
Novel therapeutic targets in epilepsy
Epilepsy is a neurological condition that is characterised by seizures. Current therapies are ineffective in nearly 30 % of patients, necessitating the development of novel treatments. The EU-funded EpiPurines project is focusing on the purinergic signalling system, which is activated by nucleotides and nucleosides. Using disease animal models and induced pluripotent stem cells, scientists will investigate the outcome of targeting various receptors and enzymes implicated in the system's pathways. Results will help us understand the role of purinergic signalling in epileptogenesis and pave the way for new drugs that offer improved seizure control and suppression of epilepsy.
Objective
Current epilepsy therapies, based on mediating excitation or inhibition, are ineffective in 30% of patients & have no impact on disease progression, demonstrating an urgent need for new therapies. Mounting evidence showed the therapeutic potential of targeting the purinergic system during epilepsy with the disease-modifying effects observed via targeting the P2X7 receptor & Adenosine kinase (ADK) being a promise. P2X7 & ADK are increased in the brain in experimental models of epilepsy and in patient brain. Further, data showed anticonvulsive & anti-epileptogenic potential of targeting P2X7 or ADK. To advance these findings towards a clinical application, results must be replicated in animal models mimicking closer the human condition (e.g.TBI model) and effects must be tested in human cells (hiPSC). Importantly, while there is now compelling evidence demonstrating the therapeutic potential of targeting both P2X7 & ADK separately, a combined treatment, targeting both simultaneously, may lead to better seizure control & suppression of epilepsy. By using relevant animal models of epilepsy and hiPSC, EpiPurines will establish the disease-modifying potential of targeting different components of the purinergic system during epileptogenesis, thereby establishing P2X7 & ADK-targeting as potential treatment for epilepsy. To achieve this, EpiPurines brings together, for the first time, a team of experts in purinergic signaling from different research fields (Adenosine & ATP-signalling) & industrial partners. This highly interdisciplinary & intersectoral approach will contribute significantly to the understanding of purinergic signalling during seizures & epilepsy providing novel therapeutic approaches. The skills acquired during the research project, the excellent training record of the supervisors & host institutions and the outstanding resources for learning & development available at RCSI & RU will give me the tools necessary to become a highly employable neuroscientist.
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)Coordinator
2 Dublin
Ireland