Project description
Finding targets to combat neonatal seizures
The neonatal period, from birth to 28 days, is the most vulnerable time in life for developing seizures. Neonatal seizures are challenging to diagnose and treat, and the stakes are high. Seizures can signify serious damage to the developing immature brain. Furthermore, ample evidence suggests that seizures can cause brain damage or exacerbate existing problems that we are still ill-prepared to respond to. NeoPur has identified a receptor with anti-convulsant properties in neonates. Elucidating its signalling pathway should help pinpoint biomarkers of seizures for more accurate diagnoses and faster responses as well as provide potential therapeutic targets for improved seizure control.
Objective
Newborns are predisposed to an increased risk of developing seizures following brain injury higher than in any other moment in a person’s life. Data from experimental models and patients suggest seizures in neonates may cause increased mortality and a higher risk of adverse neurological outcomes including cerebral palsy, developmental delay and intellectual disability. Consequently, the long-term health costs associated with seizures and neonatal brain damage are very high. To date, both diagnosis and treatment of neonatal seizures remain a clinical challenge with seizure misdiagnosis estimated to be as high as 50% and only every second patient responding to current therapies. The ATP-gated P2X7 receptor, a gatekeeper of inflammation, has recently emerged as a promising target for seizure control, showing anticonvulsant and disease-modifying properties in animals. New data produced by the supervisor now also suggest a role for P2X7 during seizures in neonates. However, to bring P2X7 further towards a clinical application, we need evidence of seizure-induced release of ATP in the brain, we must determine what are the clinical outcomes of a genetic and pharmacological targeting of P2X7 during neonatal seizures and we must identify biomarkers to better identify patients suffering from seizures. NeoPur brings together a team of experts in purinergic signalling, industrial partners developing novel P2X7 antagonists and diagnostic devices and clinicians specialised in neonates. This highly interdisciplinary and intersectoral approach will add a significant contribution to the understanding of purinergic signalling during neonatal seizures providing novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. The skills acquired during the research project, the excellent training record of the supervisor and host institution and the outstanding resources for learning and development available at RCSI will give me the tools necessary to become a highly employable neuroscientist.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2018
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
D02 YN77 DUBLIN 2
Ireland
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.