This research aims to try and find out whether it is possible to predict what risk someone has of suffering an epileptic seizure. Recent work suggests that certain classes of cells in the brain are particularly important in protecting us from seizures. Consequenctly, problems with these neurons may cause epilepsy. Intriguingly, these same neurons also perform other functions in the brain, for example sensory processing. We also know that these neurons may have a role in psychological disorders such as depression and anxiety, which are common in people with epilepsy, and often linked to seizure risk.

If so, then it may be possible to monitor a person's seizure risk using simple tests of sensory perception known as psychophysical tests and very short questions on mood and mental well-being. Our hope is that ultimately, we can develop a simple tool which can give a reasonable estimate of a person's seizure risk over the next 12 hours, and potentially tailor medication to take into account periods of high and low risk to improve seizure control and reduce the associated side-effect of anti-epileptic medication.

IRAS: 226913

REC reference: 19/NE/0093 - Newcastle & North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee