ION CHANNELS IN EPILEPSY - The identification of genetic risk factors that predispose
an individual to epilepsy and to sudden death (Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA)
SUDEP is a catastrophic complication of epilepsy
and its mechanism is not fully understood. There is evidence that genetic factors may predispose an individual
to epilepsy and to SUDEP.
Dr Goldman
is a neurologist, specialized in the field of epilepsy. She and her colleagues at The Department of Neurology, Baylor
College of Medicine, are conducting a research study called “Ion Channels in Epilepsy”. The
aim of this research is to identify genetic risk factors that predispose an individual to epilepsy and to sudden death. The
study is funded by The National Institute of Health (NIH), The National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
and Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE).
In order to perform this research, investigators need a blood sample or a small
piece of fresh or frozen tissue from patients that died as a result of their seizure disorder.
If you would like to learn more about this study, or to participate,
please contact Dr Goldman via Email or phone: 713-798-0980.
Dr Goldman and her colleagues very much appreciate
your consideration of their research. Your support of their efforts is extremely important. It
is a contribution towards a better understanding of epilepsy and towards the future design of preventative strategies that
will, hopefully, eliminate unnecessary loss of lives due to SUDEP.
Source: Correspondence with Dr Alica Goldman, November
2010
In October 2009, the
group reported finding the first gene that might explain SUDEP:
"Marker for SUDEP"
webcast, Jeffrey Noebels, Epilepsy Pipeline Update Conference (Feb 26, 2010)
Baylor College of Medicine's
news release (Oct 14)
Reuters UK's news article (Oct 14)
Epilepsy Research UK's news coverage (Nov 18)
In October 2011, Baylor College of Medicine was awarded a
$1.4 million grant by the NINDS:
to organize a national research consortium to study SUDEP.
The Gazette news coverage (Oct 25)
