Developmental Epileptic encephalopathies (DEE) represent a group of severe epileptic diseases with early onset that lead to progressive cerebral dysfunction. The genetic causes are prominent. New molecular technologies have made it easier to diagnose and start treatment earlier, for better patient outcomes. The EU-funded SEED project is allowing the Sfax University (SU) in Tunisia to establish a close collaboration
(twinning) with two internationally leading European institutions in DEE diagnosis; Aix-Marseille University in France and University of Antwerp in Belgium, to build research excellence and innovation in DEE clinical and genetic diagnostics. The aim is for SU to build sustainable research networks, close knowledge gaps and integrate into international networks via training and staff exchanges.
Stakeholders include medical professionals, researchers and scientific community, epidemiologists, medical educators, clinical trialists, insurance payers, regulatory agencies and policy makers, patient families, non-governmental organisations (NGO), advocacy groups and medical reporters.
The Expected impacts are to improve the skills and technical capacities of Tunisian doctors, researchers, health professional on the diagnosis of DEE Contribute to increase the research excellence of the coordinating institution in the field of DEE.
Enhancing the reputation, attractiveness and networking channels of the coordinating institution SU will definitely reach the criteria to become “specialized epilepsy centre” as determined by International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) and to receive fellowships and researchers from Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region for training.
During the second reporting period, WP3 was successfully completed with the implementation of practical guidelines for EE patients and the awarding of diplomas to SEED epileptology trainers; WP4 was achieved with the three workshops and the short stays remaining.Dissemination work was well done with the organization of two summers courses and two international conferences. For WP6, two marie curie projects were drafted but not accepted, the ESRs had the opportunity to attend all the transferable skills training courses organized as part of SEED.
