What is epilepsy?
There are about 100 billion neurons in our brains sending 200 electrical signals every second to help us get through our daily lives. A simple act like reading this text could mean there are a billion signals firing away, and neurons communicating with each other to help you process this information.
Epilepsy is a condition where there is sudden change in these electrical signals, often resulting in a change in behaviour or movement of the person. For example, the person may suffer from convulsions and even lose consciousness. Although treatment is available for this condition, there is no known cure for epilepsy in most cases.
What is epilepsy?
Our Chief Investigator, Dr Sudhin Thayyil, talks about how seizures in babies are different from epilepsy in older children.
Why is epilepsy difficult to diagnose?
Prof. Helen Cross is a co-investigator in this study and is training medical professionals in helping diagnose epilepsy and in determining whether individual children have developed epilepsy. She is also working on providing tools for parents , so they know when to refer or present their children to doctors for treatment.
Why is it important to study neonatal seizures?
Dr Ronit Pressler specialises in brain waves and seizures in newborn babies. For the PREVENT study, she will be measuring the brain waves of the newborns and toddlers involved in the study.