Epilepsy refers to a set of signs and symptoms having in common repeated seizures with a broad range of different etiologies (like genetic, congenital, and acquired causes), and resulting from different triggers (neurodevelopmental abnormalities, stroke, brain tumours, brain trauma, among others, if not idiopathic).
Epilepsy in Europe has a high societal and economic burden – over 3 million patients diagnosed, near 2 million at working age, over 1 million being children, adolescents or aged. Available treatments have been directed towards seizure control, with little understanding of the underlying causes (molecular, synaptic, circuitry) of the different forms of epilepsy and of the mechanisms underlying epileptogenesis. There is thus the need of not only to find new drugs with better efficacy and less side effects, but also to clarify risk factors, like genetic factors, and to identify strategies to prevent epileptogenesis.
iMM, has recognized research on the synaptic actions of endogenous antiepileptic substances, is developing pre-clinical research on novel alternative therapeutic strategies in cases of refractory epilepsy, and has recognized expertise in the clinical management of epilepsy. Yet, iMM recognizes that this promising research area requires scaling up to push it towards a European competitive levelv and to identify and deliver new solutions to mitigate the societal burden of epilepsy.
Epileptogenesis and Epilepsy Network: from genes, synapses and circuitries to pave the way for novel drugs and strategies (EpiEpiNet) aims to promote collaborative multidisciplinary and translational research in epilepsy by enhancing effective knowledge transfer, exchange of best research practices, and the mobility of early stage researchers between the iMM, and leading partners at the Academic Medical Centre at the University of Amsterdam, University of Rome La Sapienza and the Epilepsy Center of LUND University. EpiEpiNet encompasses reputed neuroscientists with the common aim of understanding the basic mechanisms of epileptogenesis and their impact in synaptic and brain circuitry dysregulation, and to contribute to the development of innovative therapies against refractory forms of epilepsy. Specifically, we aim at 1) increase the scientific and technological innovation in epilepsy research in the whole network and at iMM in particular by interchange of ideas and researchers among the partners; 2) sustain the network activity beyond EpiEpiNet deadline by promoting joint grant applications and training of PhD students; 3) train of young researchers and promote their internationalisation; 4) increase the awareness of epilepsy among the caregivers and patients, by promoting joint discussions and targeted dissemination of EpiEpiNet activities and results. As tools, EpiEpiNet will promote 1) scientific meetings, 2) community-oriented debates, 3) thematic and hands-on workshops and summer schools, 4) short term and on-site training visits in and out IMM for scientific and technology transfer between partners.
The added value of EpiEpiNet will easily be spread to the University of Lisbon and to the Portuguese community, due to the existing interactions with the Mind-Brain College of the University of Lisbon, with the national neuroscientific community, and with patient and caregiver organizations.
